Preview: Long Beach State at UC Riverside

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — Two Big West Conference men’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Thursday when the Long Beach State 49ers visit the UC Riverside Highlanders.

The game at UCR Rec Center features teams with nearly identical records. Long Beach State (8-13, 3-4 Big West) sits just ahead of UC Riverside (7-14, 2-5) in the conference standings. Both are coming off narrow road losses on Jan. 24.

The 49ers fell 74-71 to UC Santa Barbara despite 21 points from guard Petar Majstorovic. The Highlanders dropped a 74-66 decision at UC Davis, led by 18 points from Marqui Worthy.

Majstorovic and Worthy are the focal points for their respective offenses. Majstorovic, a key player for Long Beach State, is averaging 18.4 points over his last seven games. He scored 22 points in the first meeting against Riverside this season. Worthy has been a consistent scorer for the Highlanders, averaging 17.1 points over the same stretch and posting 23 points in the Jan. 15 matchup.

Long Beach State won that game at home, 88-73, on Jan. 15. The 49ers have won three of their last five, while the Highlanders have lost five of their last six, with their lone win an 81-72 victory over Cal State Fullerton on Jan. 17.

Both teams have struggled defensively, setting the stage for a potential high-scoring affair. Long Beach State allows 75.2 points per game, while UC Riverside surrenders 76.0. The 49ers’ offense, however, has been more potent, averaging 76.0 points compared to the Highlanders’ 67.7.

The rematch offers UC Riverside a chance for home-court revenge and to climb the conference ladder, while Long Beach State aims to secure a regular-season sweep and stay above .500 in Big West play.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST.