Box Score SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Cal State East Bay was the victor in both of its PacWest/CCAA Challenge games over the weekend after taking down host Academy of Art, 91-83 on Sunday.
Stephanie Lopez scored a season-high 21 points and gave the Pioneers an early second half lead they would not relinquish.
One night after scoring 90 points for the first time during the tenure of current East Bay Head Coach
Suzy Barcomb, the Pioneers did one better by putting up 91 against the Urban Knights (2-2). Lopez led a group of four Pioneers to score in double figures, to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and a pair of steals.
"Steph (Lopez) played a terrific game. She directed the team well, took great shots, and when needed she made the correct pass to the open player," praised Barcomb.
For the second straight game senior
Sarah Finlay shot 7-for-9 from the field and scored 17 points. She was named to the PacWest/CCAA Challenge All-Tournament Team. Finlay finished the weekend shooting 14-of-18 from the field, 5-of-7 from three, averaging 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and a steal in two games.
"Sarah had another great night shooting the ball," said Barcomb. "As a team we shared the ball very well and our shot selections were great."
Rachel Finnegan contributed season-highs of six assists and three steals, and equaled her best effort of the year with eight points going 3-for-3 from the field.
Danielle Peacon finished with 13 points in only 18 minutes.
Brianna Terrance scored 15 points on the heels of her career-best 20-point effort on Saturday.
"This was a good weekend for us as we continue to build upon our strengths and improve upon our weaknesses," said Barcomb. "Academy (of Art) is a great and are relentless with the 3-ball. I was proud of how our defense regrouped in the second half…That was the difference in the game."
The Urban Knights held a slim 50-46 halftime lead in large part to a 9-for-18 shooting performance from beyond the arc. The Pioneers held the tournament hosts to just a 4-for-14 effort from downtown in the second half as Coach Barcomb earned her first win over Academy of Art in four tries.
Cal State East Bay (2-3) will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Fresno Pacific (0-5).
