By snoadmin
If you are a big fan of shutdown defenses, you might want to skip out on the two Long Beach State’s men’s basketball home games this weekend.
But if you like to see the ball go in the hoop, get ready for some high scoring basketball in The Walter Pyramid.
LBSU will play host to Pepperdine (2-6) on Thursday and Sacramento State (4-5) on Saturday. Both tip-offs are scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The games will be the second and third home games of the season for LBSU, which won its lone home games so far this season, beating Cal State Bakersfield 73-70 on Nov. 17.
When LBSU met Pepperdine and Sacramento State last year, LBSU lost two high-scoring games, falling to Pepperdine 92-86 and to Sacramento State, 106-94.
The 49ers are averaging a modest 64.6 points per game early this season, but LBSU led the nation in scoring offense last season (83.3 ppg). Defensively, LBSU is giving up 71.6 ppg this season.
LBSU is coming off a four-game road trip that the 49ers went 1-3 on. The 49ers lost to USC, UCLA and Temple, before salvaging the road trip with a 57-53 win over Maryland-Baltimore County on Sunday.
Point guard Kejuan Johnson, who started three of the first four games this season, has missed the last three games because of a broken nose, but could make a return to the lineup this week.
Shooting guard Aaron Nixon continues to lead the 49ers in offense with 16.0 ppg. The only other 49ers averaging double figure is Sterling Byrd, with 11.0 ppg.
Shooting the ball has continued to be a problem for LBSU, as it is shooting just .362 from the field. From behind the arc, LBSU is shooting a dreadful .250. Last year, LBSU shot .355 on 3-point shots.
On the other had, defending the three has been a problem. Opponents are shooting .370 from long distance this season.
Pepperdine is coming off its best win of the season, beating Colorado on the road 78-72 on Monday. The Waves rank in the top-50 in the scoring offense in the country, averaging 79.6 ppg, but are giving up 84.9 ppg.
The Waves are led by senior guard Marvin Lea, who is averaging 17.4 ppg.
Sacramento State will be looking to recover from road losses at Illinois State and Louisville last week. Overall this season, Sacramento State is scoring 78.4 ppg and is giving up 78.9.
The Hornets leading scorer is souphmore guard Loren Leath, who is scoring 17 ppg.
On Saturday, LBSU will have its annual toy drive at The Pyramid. Students get into all LBSU events for free, but non-students will have a chance to get in free for Saturday’s game if they bring a non-wrapped toy for the drive.
