Box Score SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team lost an exciting but frustrating game to Academy of Art Saturday afternoon by the score of 77-75. The Pioneers (1-2, 0-0 CCAA) led by many as 22 in the first half, but couldn't quite hit enough shots late to escape Kezar Pavilion with a win. It's the first victory of the season for the Urban Knights (1-2, 0-0 PacWest), who, like the Pioneers, won their home opener in dramatic fashion.
It was, for the most part, a tale of two halves – one that East Bay dominated, and another that saw Academy of Art find its groove offensively. The Pioneers shot 47.4 percent from the field in the first half and were 5-for-12 from three-point range. They scored 16 points off ART U turnovers and carried a 48-34 lead into the break. The Urban Knights, meanwhile, shot 42.3 percent and made just one three pointer.
When the second half rolled around, Academy of Art started hitting everything and the Pioneers cooled off. The Urban Knights out-shot East Bay 55.2 percent to 34.4 percent in the second half, with the Pioneers going 0-for-5 from long distance. ART U ended up out-shooting the Pioneers for the game, as well, 49.1 percent to 40.3 percent.
Bryan Fisher scored down low with 1:12 left to break a 75-75 tie – it would ultimately be the game-winning shot. East Bay had a couple of chances to tie or take the lead, but a three pointer from
Jason Smith missed with five seconds left, securing ART U the victory.
East Bay forced 18 turnovers and committed just nine, a big reason they were able to jump out to a big early lead. But once the Urban Knights tied the score with 13 minutes remaining, it was a tight contest the rest of the way. The Pioneers got beat on the glass, as Academy of Art out-rebounded them 32-19. They also struggled once again from the free throw line, hitting at just 54.5 percent (12-for-22), while ART U shot a respectable 70.4 percent (19-for-27).
Nick Marshall was the Pioneers' primary scoring option in the second half and finished with good numbers overall. He led the team with 16 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, shooting 7-of-15 from the field.
Gabe Kindred was right behind him, adding 12 points, three boards, three assists, and two steals on 4-for-10 shooting.
Vincent Capellino was one a few Pioneers who did have the shooting stroke going, as he played his best game of the season with 11 points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes.
Jacari Whitfield also posted 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and added a team-high five assists. Smith knocked down a couple three pointers and kicked in nine points, all in the first half, to go with four boards.
Ota Okungbowa also shot well, going 4-for-8 from the field and finishing with eight points and five rebounds.
For Academy of Art, they had five players reach double figures in scoring, led by Alex Carmon with 19 points and eight boards on 7-of-11 shooting. Ameer Shamsud-din added 15 points and Fisher had 12, with each grabbing seven rebounds and tying for the team lead with five assists. Rodrigo Maza posted the game's only double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.
The Pioneers have a week off for Thanksgiving before beginning their CCAA schedule next Saturday on the road. The team's third straight game in San Francisco is also the most important one, as East Bay visits San Francisco State in the conference opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
