Thursday, Feb. 14
vs. Cal Poly Pomona (11-9, 9-7 CCAA)
Kellogg Gym | Pomona
5:30 p.m.
Live stats | Live video

Saturday, Feb. 16
vs. Humboldt State (9-13, 5-11 CCAA)
Lumberjack Arena | Arcata
5:30 p.m.
Live stats | Live video


HAYWARD, Calif. – The Pioneer women's basketball team, currently on a five-game winning streak, will hit the road this week for games with Cal Poly Pomona on February 14 and Humboldt State on February 16. Both games will tipoff at 5:30 p.m. East Bay defeated Humboldt State 66-54 on January 11 and lost to Cal Poly Pomona 55-43 on January 12.

“Overall this is a truly demanding road trip, going from one end of the state to the other end of the state,” Pioneer Head Coach Suzy Barcomb. “We can't worry about the travel. We must maintain our focus on our goals and play team basketball.”

Three big wins last week over third place Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State Dominguez Hills and fourth place Cal State L.A., have enabled the Pioneers (9-7) to move into a fourth place tie in the CCAA with Cal State L.A. and Cal Poly Pomona. For the season, the Pioneers are 11-9.

IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS DURING THE FIVE-GAME WINNING STREAK
The Pioneers have put up impressive numbers during the five-game winning streak. East Bay has averaged 56.8 points a game, while allowing its opponent only 43.4 points a contest. From the free throw line, the Pioneers have converted 62 of 95 compared to 38 of 61 for their opponents. The Pioneers have held their opponents to 33.2 shooting percentage from the field and 30.3% from the three-point area. East Bay has outrebounded the opposition by a 35.4-29.4 margin. The Pioneers have forced 100 turnovers, an average of 20 per game. East Bay has come up with 48 steals, an average of 9.7 a contest.   

“It's been all about team basketball,” Barcomb said. “We are defending as a group; team rebounding, sharing the scoring load and having different players stepping up in one form or another on game day. We are shooting better, knocking down some 3's and getting to the free throw line with more consistency.  Overall we are just playing better basketball.” 
  
WINNING AT HOME
Four of the last five Pioneer victories were in Pioneer Gym. In CCAA play, the Pioneers have posted an impressive 6-3 home record.

“We also have been at home for 4 out of the last 5 games and we knew what needed to happen in order for us to get back into the play-off race,” Barcomb said.  We have some players finally playing up to their potential.  Confidence can go a long way in terms of improving the level of our play.”

DOING IT WITH DEFENSE
In the latest NCAA II statistics as of February 11, the Pioneers are third in scoring defense (50.7) and fifth in field goal percentage defense (32.8%). East Bay leads the CCAA in scoring defense (49.4) and ranks second in field goal percentage defense (34.1%).

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Brianna Terrance, coming off a good week, leads the Pioneers in scoring for the season (8.5ppg) and in CCAA play (8.6ppg). In the three victories by the Pioneers last week, Terrance averaged 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds, while shooting 63.6 percent on 14 of 22 from the field.  Micah Walker is second behind Terrance in scoring with an 8.4 point per game average. Lauren Lucchesi is averaging 7.6 points per game in 17 appearances. Marlene MacMillan, also averaging 7.6 points a game, is the fifth leading rebounder in the CCAA (7.8rpg). Tori Breshers leads the CCAA in overall blocked shots with an average of one per game. Breshers is second on the Pioneers with 24 steals.  Sarah Finlay, who has started the last 10 games for the Pioneers, is averaging 6.6 points overall and 6.4ppg in CCAA play. Rachel Finnegan continues to be a key team player for the Pioneers. Finnegan is averaging 4.6 rebounds, and has 30 assists and 30 steals.

ABOUT CAL POLY POMONA
The Broncos are locked up in a three-way tie with Cal State East Bay and Cal State L.A. for fourth place in the CCAA at 9-7. Cal Poly Pomona is 11-9 for the season. The Broncos have lost their last three games. J.J. Judge is the Broncos top scorer averaging 15.7 points per game. Judge is the sixth leading scorer in the CCAA with a 14.3 point per game average. Ashley Boggs, averaging 11.4 points per game, leads the Broncos on the boards with 7.4 rebounds per game.

“Pomona is a well-coached team which has talent at every position out on the floor,” Barcomb said. “They have experience and know how to win games.  We have our work cut out for us down there.  Pomona will have a great crowd to support them.  We just need to keep our focus on ourselves and continue to defend on every single play.” 

ABOUT HUMBOLDT STATE
The Lumberjacks stand in 10th place in the CCAA with a 5-11 record. Humboldt State is 9-13 for the season. The Lumberjacks are 5-4 at home. Lisa Petty leads the CCAA in scoring with a 19.2 point per game average. Petty ranks second in rebounds in the CCAA (8.3rpg). Kelly Kime is averaging 9.7 points and 7.3 rebounds a game.  

“Humboldt State plays with a great deal of heart, and anytime you are playing on your home floor and you have seniors leading your program, you are a formidable opponent,” Barcomb said. “Humboldt has battled in every game and I don't expect anything less from them on Saturday night.”

Following the two road games against Cal Poly Pomona and Humboldt State, the Pioneers will play two more away contests next week at UC San Diego and Cal State San Bernardino.