Halftime Report
UC Riverside is on the road but looking no worse for wear. They have jumped out to a quick 38-32 lead against LBSU.
UC Riverside came into the matchup with some extra motivation after the defeat they were dealt the last time these two teams faced off. We’ll see if they’re able to flip the script or if it’ll just be more of the same.
Who’s Playing
UC Riverside Highlanders @ LBSU Beach
Current Records: UC Riverside 9-5, LBSU 6-8
How To Watch
- When: Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 10 p.m. ET
- Where: Walter Pyramid — Long Beach, California
- TV: ESPN Plus
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Online Streaming: Catch select College Basketball matches on Fubo (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket Cost: $12.00
What to Know
LBSU will be in front of their home fans on Thursday, but a look at the spread shows they might need that home-court advantage. They and the UC Riverside Highlanders will face off in a Big West battle at 10:00 p.m. ET at Walter Pyramid. The Beach will be looking to extend their current five-game winning streak.
LBSU will head into Sunday’s game hoping to keep the good times rolling: they only won by three when they last took the court, which might have inspired the 26-point they dealt LA Sierra last Sunday. LBSU claimed a resounding 83-57 victory over LA Sierra. The Beach were heavily favored coming into this match, and the results showcase why.
LBSU was working as a unit and finished the game with 17 assists. That’s the most assists they’ve posted since back in March of 2024.
Meanwhile, it may have taken overtime to finish the job, but UC Riverside ultimately got the result they hoped for on Sunday. They skirted past St. Thomas 81-79.
LBSU’s win bumped their record up to 6-8. As for UC Riverside, their victory was their seventh straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 9-5.
LBSU took their win against UC Riverside in their previous meeting back in March of 2024 by a conclusive 86-67. Does LBSU have another victory up their sleeve, or will UC Riverside turn the tables on them? We’ll have the answer soon enough.
Odds
UC Riverside is a 4.5-point favorite against LBSU, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 4.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
The over/under is 138.5 points.
See college basketball picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
LBSU has won 7 out of their last 10 games against UC Riverside.
- Mar 14, 2024 – LBSU 86 vs. UC Riverside 67
- Jan 27, 2024 – LBSU 65 vs. UC Riverside 53
- Jan 06, 2024 – LBSU 83 vs. UC Riverside 75
- Feb 15, 2023 – UC Riverside 88 vs. LBSU 76
- Dec 31, 2022 – UC Riverside 73 vs. LBSU 72
- Mar 05, 2022 – LBSU 73 vs. UC Riverside 72
- Jan 27, 2022 – LBSU 68 vs. UC Riverside 62
- Feb 15, 2020 – LBSU 65 vs. UC Riverside 63
- Jan 30, 2020 – UC Riverside 77 vs. LBSU 69
- Mar 06, 2019 – LBSU 70 vs. UC Riverside 57
