Friday, Feb. 22
vs. UC San Diego (17-8, 15-3 CCAA)
RIMAC Arena | La Jolla
5:30 p.m.
Live stats

Saturday, Feb. 23
vs. Cal State San Bernardino (10-12, 8-10 CCAA)
Coussoulis Arena | San Bernardino
5:30 p.m.
Live audio | Live stats

HAYWARD, Calif. – The Pioneer women's basketball team, riding high on a seven-game winning streak, will play at CCAA co-leader UC San Diego on February 22 and Cal State San Bernardino on February 23.  Both games will tipoff at 5:30 p.m. East Bay lost to UC San Diego 61-50 and defeated Cal State San Bernardino 57-54 back in January.

The Pioneers are in sole possession of fourth place in the CCAA with an 11-7 record. East Bay is 13-9 for the season. The Pioneers are 8-2 in their last 10 games.

East Bay is coming off two narrow road victories last weekend. On February 14, the Pioneers defeated Cal Poly Pomona 52-50. East Bay beat Humboldt State in overtime 58-53 on February 16.

“We continue to try and get better every single time we step out on the floor,” Pioneer Head Coach Suzy Barcomb said. “We did not play well at all this last weekend, but we managed to find a way to win the games.  If this road trip had happened earlier in the season, I'm not sure we would have regrouped as a team and found a way to win. We are maturing and for us to get a weekend road sweep at this point in the season was outstanding.”   

ABOUT THE SEVEN-GAME WINNING STREAK

The Pioneers have scored 56.3 points while allowing 45.7 points a contest. East Bay has held the opposition to under 50 points in five of the victories. From the free throw line, the Pioneers have converted 78 of 126 compared to 52 of 87 for their opponents. The Pioneers have held their opponents to 33.2 shooting percentage from the field and 28% from the three-point area. East Bay has outrebounded the opposition by a 35.6-31.4 margin. The Pioneers have forced 133 turnovers, an average of 19 per game. East Bay has come up with 67 steals, an average of 9.5 a contest. The Pioneers have 73 assists compared to 55 for their opponents. Brianna Terrance, named CCAA Player of the Week for her outstanding play against Cal Poly Pomona and Humboldt State, has been the Pioneers leading scorer during the seven-game winning streak with an 11.4 point per game average. Sarah Finlay is averaging 9.1 points, while posting a team-high 15 assists. Marlene MacMillan is averaging a team-high 8.1 rebounds, and is tied for team honors with 13 steals during the seven-game winning streak.

DEFENSE CONTINUES TO SHINE

In the latest NCAA II statistics as of February 19, the Pioneers are third in scoring defense (50.7) and eighth in field goal percentage defense (33.2%). East Bay leads the CCAA in scoring defense (49.7) and ranks second in field goal percentage defense (34.4%).

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Terrance continues to lead the Pioneers in scoring for the season (9.2ppg) and in CCAA play (9.4ppg). In her last four games, Terrance has averaged 12.5 points, while shooting a sizzling 64.7 percent from the field (22-34).  Micah Walker is second behind Terrance in scoring with an 8.4 point per game average. Walker has averaged 10.3 points in her last four games. Lauren Lucchesi, who has averaged 10.5 points in her last four games, is third in scoring at 7.6 points per contest. MacMillan, averaging 7.2 points a game, is the fourth leading rebounder in the CCAA (7.8rpg). Finlay, who scored seven points in overtime in the Pioneers victory over Humboldt State, is averaging seven points a game. Rachel Finnegan is averaging 4.4 rebounds, and has 33 assists and 32 steals.
“We continue to have several players stepping up to the challenge each night and make significant contributions,” Barcomb said.  

ABOUT UC SAN DIEGO
The Tritons are tied with Chico State for top honors in the CCAA with a 15-3 record. UC San Diego, currently on a nine-game winning streak, is 17-8 for the season. The Tritons are 8-1 at home. Daisy Feder, with an 18.5 point per game average, leads the Tritons in scoring. Feder is the third leading scorer in the CCAA at 17.7ppg. Emily Osga and Erin Dautremont are averaging 12.6 and 11.2 points a game respectively. Dautremont is the Tritons leading rebounder at 6.3rpg.

“The Tritons are the hottest team in the CCAA,” Barcomb said.  “UCSD is playing at a very high level right now and with their recent win over Chico, own the tie-breaker with Chico for first place.  I believe UCSD is very focused on repeating as the regular season champions.  They have a very talented line-up that can shoot lights out.”

ABOUT CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO

The Coyotes are tied with San Francisco State for seventh place in the CCAA with an 8-10 record. Cal State San Bernardino is 10-12 for the season. The Coyotes have won three of their last four games. Eliza Dy, averaging 11.5 points per game, leads the Coyotes in scoring. Trinidee Price is averaging 9.3 points per game. Trice has a team-high 12 blocked shots. Adriana Brodie leads the Coyotes on the boards averaging 5.3 rebounds a game.

“We struggled with San Bernardino when we played them at home,” Barcomb said.  “They can create several mismatches and have several players who can put up big numbers.  It is never an easy place to play.”

Following the two road games against UC San Diego and Cal State San Bernardino, the Pioneers will conclude the regular season next week with home games against Chico State on February 28 and Cal State Stanislaus on March 1.