MONTEREY, Calif. – The Pioneer men's basketball team snapped a nine-game losing streak following a convincing   91-67 win over Cal State Monterey Bay on February 14.

The victory improves the Pioneers to 6-12 in CCAA play and 8-14 overall. Cal State Monterey Bay drops to 1-17 in the CCAA and 2-20 for the season.

“We shot the ball well,” Pioneer coach Will Biggs said. “This was a big win coming off two tough defeats over the weekend.”

Tre Mauldin, getting his first start of the season, scored 18 points. Roshun Wynne also scored 18 points and nine rebounds.   Mark Samuels had a solid game with 17 points , seven rebounds and six assists.
Jason Smith and Adam Watts each scored 10 points. Watts added nine rebounds.     

“Tre did a great job tonight,” Biggs said. “He got us out of the gate with 11 points in the first eight minutes of the game.”

The Otters' Brandon Ward led all scorers with 20 points.

The Pioneers held a seven point halftime advantage and increased their lead to 60-46 with 12:42 left on a Quinton Lilley layup.

Smith converted a three-pointer and added two free throws to give the Pioneers a commanding 82-59 lead with 6:00 minutes left.

The Pioneers scored nine points in the remaining six minutes to match their biggest offensive output of the season.

Mauldin scored his 11th point of the first half on a three-pointer as the Pioneers tied the game, 17-17, at the 12:39 mark.

Samuels made a layup and added a free throw to give the Pioneers a 25-20 advantage with 10:02 remaining. He led the Pioneers in the first half with 14 points.

Jurrell Turner, who was 0-for-8 from the three point area in 17 games this season, converted his third 3-pointer of the half as the Pioneers maintained a 31-24 lead.

“I felt that Jurrell had a nice game shooting from the outside and did a solid job on the boards,” Biggs said.

The Pioneers enjoyed their biggest lead of the half, 37-26 with 7:27 left on a three-point play by Wynne.

Two free throws by Wynne gave the Pioneers a 47-40 halftime lead.

Cal State East Bay will return home on February 17 to face Cal State San Bernardino.