Box Score SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team lost on the road to the University of San Francisco by a score of 73-58 Tuesday night. The Pioneers (1-1, 0-0 CCAA) turned in a solid showing in their only game of the season against a Division I opponent, ultimately falling just a bit short. They even held a lead with 13 minutes left in the game, but couldn't quite get enough shots to fall, living and ultimately dying by the three-pointer.
The Pioneers were outshot by USF 42.1 percent to 34.8 percent from the field and 35.7 percent to 30.8 percent from behind the arc. They attempted 26 three-pointers, making eight. The biggest difference in the game was at the free throw line, however. Not only did the Dons best the Pioneers in percentage (58.8 to 33.3), they also shot nearly three times as many foul shots at East Bay (34 to 12).
Gabe Kindred led the Pioneers in scoring with 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting.
Jurrell Turner and
Ota Okungbowa both reached double figures with 10 points apiece, and Okungbowa added a team-high four assists.
Jacari Whitfield posted eight points and three assists, while
Vincent Capellino contributed seven points off the bench.
Nick Marshall scored just four points on 2-of-11 shooting, but he grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.
It was a tight game in the early going as the Pioneers matched the Dons blow for blow. Despite being called for twice as many fouls, East Bay trailed just 14-12 at the eight-minute media timeout. However, the Dons went on a run to close out the half and went into the break leading 30-21.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well in what was a low-scoring first half. East Bay shot 27.6 percent (8-for-29) from the field, while USF shot 37.0 percent. The Pioneers struggled in particular behind the three-point line, shooting 27.2 percent (3-for-11) in the opening half.
Whitfield and Okungbowa headed into the break with five points apiece, tops on the team.
Tre Mauldin led the Pioneers with four first-half rebounds coming off the bench, and Kindred dished out three assists. USF's De'End Parker led all scorers with 10 points at halftime.
The Pioneers came out strong in the second half and continued to play the Dons tough. After Okungbowa and Kindred hit back-to-back three-pointers, Turner knocked down a jumper to pull East Bay within one. Another three by Kindred gave them their first lead of the game at 38-36.
USF answered back quickly, though, scoring seven straight points to regain the lead. The Pioneers got into the bonus quickly in the second half, which helped them to keep things tight for most of the game. But with the score tied 43-43, the Dons finally caught fire and made a 15-2 run to take the lead for good.
Parker finished with 18 points to lead the Dons, one of five USF players to score in double figures. Cole Dickerson added 14 points and posted a double-double, leading all players with 15 boards.
Cal State East Bay will head back to the city for another game on Saturday afternoon, this time against PacWest foe Academy of Art. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. from San Francisco.
