Box Score Box score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Despite sophomore Marlene MacMillan's double-double and three players scoring in double figures, the Cal State East Bay women's basketball team dropped a 61-54 decision to Cal State LA on Friday night at The Eagles Nest. The Pioneers (4-19, 4-15 CCAA) shot just 26 percent from the field and converted on only 73.9 percent of their free throw chances down the stretch in the loss.

“We were mentally, emotionally and physically out of it from the tip-off,” CSUEB Head Coach Suzy Barcomb said. “We tried every combination we could to generate a spark, but nothing seemed to work. We gave up too many easy baskets and missed too many free throws.”

Freshman guard Sarah Finlay continued her recent hot streak, leading Cal State East Bay with 14 points, while matching her season high with six rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench. Finlay scored 12 of her points in the second half. MacMillan helped the Pioneers out-rebound the Golden Eagles, 42-35, with a 10-point, 14-rebound double-double, her fourth of the season. Sophomore forward Lauren Lucchesi added 11 points and a pair of steals for East Bay.

“Marlene was a bright spot for us with another double-double tonight,” Barcomb said.

Though the Pioneers shot 35.7 percent from three-point range, they hit just 13 field goals in the loss and went 23-for-31 from the free-throw line. East Bay committed 18 turnovers while Cal State LA had just 12 miscues.

The Golden Eagles were led by Alisha Belt's 17 points and nine rebounds. Belt helped Cal State LA shoot 42 percent from the field, going 7-for-11 from the floor. Sonia Miller added 13 points and four assists for the Golden Eagles.

After playing to a 7-7 tie in the first seven minutes, the Golden Eagles opened up a seven-point lead, 14-7, at the 11:24 mark in the first half. Though East Bay closed the gap with a seven-point run to tie the game at 14, LA regained a three-point lead with 4:32 to play in the half. The Pioneers answered back to take a 20-19 lead at the 3:22 mark before the Golden Eagles ended the half with an eight-point run to take a 27-20 advantage into the break.

Cal State LA came out of the half and opened up an 11-point lead before the Pioneers closed the gap back down to one with 10:36 left. Though the Golden Eagles never trailed for the remainder of the half, East Bay pulled within one another two times in the half. With 3:17 remaining, the Pioneers trailed 50-49 but the Golden Eagles hit five free throws and three buckets over the final three minutes to hold on for the victory.

“This is a lost opportunity we won't get back,” Barcomb said. “Winning on the road takes focus and a tough-minded attitude and we did not show it tonight.”

Cal State East Bay returns to action tomorrow night when it travels to Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Pioneers and Toros are set to tip at 5:30 p.m. at the Torodome in Carson.