Box score

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Pioneer women's basketball team gave Division I San Jose State a tremendous game before losing to the Spartans, 66-57, in an exhibition contest on November 1.

Lauren Lucchesi had an outstanding game as she led all scorers with 26 points, including 16 in the first half. Lucchesi was 8-of-14 from the field, 3-of-4 from the arc, and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Meaghan Cichoke, Sarah Finlay and Rachel Finnegan all scored five points. Finnegan added five assists. Brianna Terrance led the Pioneers on the boards with seven rebounds.

“As expected, it was a very physical and demanding game,” Pioneer coach Suzy Barcomb said. “We battled well throughout the first half. We really struggled to score, except Lu who had a nice all-around game.”

The Pioneers played on even terms with the Spartans in the first half.  Lucchesi scored the first six points to give the Pioneers a 6-2 lead with 16:16 left. The Spartans went on a 7-0 run the following three minutes to take a 9-6 advantage.

Cichoke hit a three-pointer as the Pioneers tied the game at the 13:14 mark. Terrance converted a layup with 8:53 left as the Pioneers edged ahead 18-16. The Spartans rallied with a 10-0 run to regain the lead 26-18 with 6:10 remaining.

A three-pointer by Lucchesi and a layup by Cassie Coble cut the Spartans advantage to 28-27 at the 3:58 mark.

The Spartans edged ahead 33-29 with 1:54 left on a Chereese Thomas layup.

Lucchesi converted a jumper for her 16th point of the half, while Micah Walker made a layup to tie the game at intermission.

The Pioneers jumped ahead 36-33 on a Lucchesi three-pointer with 19:36 left. East Bay maintained a 43-40 lead with 12 minutes remaining. Lucchesi converted a pair of free throws at the 9:04 mark to give the Pioneers their last lead of the game, 49-47.

San Jose State went on 9-2 run to take a 56-51 lead with 5:11 remaining. The Spartans led by as many as 11 points with three minutes left in the second half.

“Costly turnovers late hurt our chances of making one last push in the second half,” Barcomb said.  “We had no legs. We got on the glass with 22 offensive boards but we couldn't convert. Bri and Tori worked hard to get us some second chance opportunities.”

Cal State East Bay will travel to Stockton on November 4 to take on the University of the Pacific. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

We are a very young team and we will grow from this experience.