Box score

HAYWARD, Calif. - The Pioneers men's basketball team won their third CCAA game of the season following a 91-87 victory over visiting Cal State Monterey Bay on December 30.

The victory improves the Pioneers' CCAA record to 3-2 and 5-4 overall. Cal State Monterey Bay stands at 1-4 in CCAA play and 2-7 for the season.

Cal State East Bay, which scored a season-high 91 points, was led in scoring by Roshun Wynne with 22 including 17 in the second half. Wynne was tough on defense with five steals.  Jason Smith came off the bench to score 17 points including four 3-pointers while Jurrell Turner had 14. Mark Samuels contributed to the Pioneer victory with 12 points and seven assists.

The Otters were led in scoring by Brandon Ward with 21 points followed by Derrick Anderson with 19.

“We built a cushion in the first half and held off a Monterey Bay team which was determined to win this game,” Pioneer coach Will Biggs said. “Our scrappy guys held on for the victory.”      

The Pioneers jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first five minutes.

A three-point play by Turner increased the Pioneers advantage to 23-5 with 13:46 left.

The Otters went on a 25-11 run in the following seven minutes to trail 34-30.

Jacari Whitfield hit his third 3-pointer of the half to give the Pioneers a 50-40 lead at intermission.

The Pioneers scored the first nine points of the second half to take a commanding 59-40 at the 17:05 mark.

Cal State Monterey Bay rallied with a 27-14 run the following 10 minutes to cut the Pioneers' lead to 73-67.

A three-pointer by Wynne gave the Pioneers an 81-73 lead with 4:19 left.

The Otters cut the deficit to 86-85 on a three-pointer by Geoff McIntosh and a pair of free throws by Kevin Loustale.

A follow-in by Loustale gave the Otters their first lead of the game, 87-86, with 39 seconds remaining.

Turner scored the go-ahead basket for the Pioneers on a follow in with 26 seconds left.

With four seconds remaining, Wynne forced a Monterey Bay turnover.

Smith secured the hard earned victory for the Pioneers with three free throws in the final four seconds.

“This was a great team win,” Biggs said. “Our 3-2 record in the CCAA is something to build on.”

Following five straight CCAA home games, the Pioneers hit the road for games with Cal Poly Pomona on January 5 and San Francisco State on January 7.