Friday, Jan. 4
@ Cal State Los Angeles (5-3, 2-2 CCAA)
The Eagles Nest
7:30 p.m.
Live Stats 

Saturday, Jan. 5
@ Cal State Dominguez Hills (6-5, 2-2 CCAA)
The Torodome
7:30 p.m.
Live Stats | Live Video

HAYWARD, Calif. – This weekend, the Cal State East Bay men's basketball team will kick off the New Year with the first of three trips to Southern California this season. After playing just two games in the span of 19 days, the Pioneers return to their normal conference schedule with two games each of the next nine weeks. This road trip concludes a stretch that saw East Bay play eight of its first ten games away from home. The team hasn't won on the road since its conference opener against SF State on Nov. 30. This Friday the Pioneers visit Cal State LA, and on Saturday they take on Cal State Dominguez Hills, with both games set to tip-off at 7:30 p.m.

WEEKEND RECAP
East Bay fell in its only game of the week on the road to traveling partner Cal State Monterey Bay on Sunday. Unlike earlier in the month when the Pioneers dominated the game and beat the Otters at home, CSUMB was in control this time around and cruised to an 89-72 win. Brandon Ward and Alex Fertig were red hot for the Otters, and the Pioneers were not, shooting 37.0 percent from the field and 20.8 percent (5-for-24) from behind the arc. So far this season, the team's success has been closely tied to how well they're shooting, and against the Otters, the shot weren't falling. East Bay is now 1-5 on the road this year.

Jurrell Turner posted his first double-double of the season for East Bay, racking up 13 points and 10 rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting. Ota Okungbowa also scored 13 points, pacing the team with a 6-for-13 mark from the floor. Nick Marshall set a career high with 14 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. With 10 points, Tre Mauldin reached double figures for the third straight time against the Otters. Jacari Whitfield added nine points and a team-leading three assists, while Gabe Kindred and Vincent Capellino scored eight points apiece.

PIONEER LEADERS
Marshall continues to reside near the top of the defensive stat leaderboards for big men. The senior forward is seventh in the CCAA in rebounding (6.8 rpg) and fourth in blocks (1.2 bpg). Although he was quiet on Sunday, Kindred has been a jack-of-all-trades this season. He ranks in the top-20 in scoring (11.9 ppg), assists (2.5 apg), and steals (1.5 spg). Finally, Turner sits top-20 in scoring (11.5 ppg) and field goal percentage (51.7 percent).

WORTH A SHOT
The Pioneers have attempted the third-most field goals, the most three pointers, and the most free throws in the conference so far this season. Their high shot volume is no doubt related to the number of second chances they've created, as East Bay leads the CCAA in offensive rebounding (14.2 rpg).

EVALUATING THE EAGLES
Cal State LA is tied with the Pioneers in the CCAA standings, but they enter the weekend playing stellar ball, having won three straight and four out of five. The Golden Eagles might be the best defensive team in the conference. They rank first in the CCAA in rebounds, rebounding margin, blocks, turnovers forced, and opponents' shooting percentage, and they rank third in points per game allowed. Their major downfall is they don't shoot well from the outside, having made and taken the fewest three pointers in the league. But dominant senior center Jordan Richard leads the Eagles on the defensive end. In addition to averaging 11.6 ppg, he leads the CCAA in rebounding (10.1 rpg), field goal percentage (68.3), and blocks (5.0 bpg). In addition, junior forward James Tillman is shooting 56.2 as the conference's leading scorer (17.9 ppg). The Pioneers were swept by Cal State LA last season and are winless against the Golden Eagles (0-6) since joining the CCAA.

TRACKING THE TOROS
Cal State Dominguez Hills is also 2-2 in conference after losing 59-46 to Cal State LA. The Toros haven't played a game since beating Azusa Pacific on Dec. 17. Offense has been a challenge for them this year, as they rank last in the CCAA in points per game, field goal percentage, and assists. But they're defending the perimeter well, holding opponents to 30.0 percent shooting beyond the arc. Given Crump is the Toros' leading scorer, averaging 12.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg after putting up a season-high 29 points in their last game. Lamine Diame is shooting 52.9 percent to lead the team and scoring 9.1 ppg. He also ranks second in the conference in rebounding (8.9 rpg) and third in blocks (1.4 bpg). Just like against Cal State LA, the Pioneers were 0-2 versus the Toros last season and have not beaten them since joining in the CCAA. Both the men's and women's games at Cal State Dominguez Hills will be televised live worldwide on the Toro Sports Network.