Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. – The Pioneer women's basketball team extended their winning streak to four games following a 63-43 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.
East Bay played well before a homecoming crowd and remains in sixth place in the CCAA with an 8-7 record. The Pioneers improve to 10-9 for the season. Cal State Dominguez Hills stands at 6-9 in CCAA play and 7-12 overall.
The Pioneers shot 47.7 percent from the field and converted 6 of 13 three-pointers. East Bay held the Toros to a 30.4 shooting percentage from the field and 2 of 13 from the 3-point area.
Sarah Finlay led three Pioneer players in double figures with a season-high 15 points. Finlay was 5 of 9 from the field and 4 of 5 from the free throw line.
Micah Walker and
Lauren Lucchesi scored 12 and 11 points respectively.
Rachel Finnegan came off the bench to score four points, four rebounds and four steals in 18 minutes of action.
“We executed well at times and challenged shots most of the night,” Pioneer Head Coach
Suzy Barcomb said. “Fin had a solid offensive night for us, Lu finally seems more comfortable shooting the ball and Micah seems to be finally playing at a higher level. It is good to have three score in double digits.”
Monay Lee was the Toros' leading scorer with 13 points, while Jamie Robinson followed with 12.
“As a team we know we must defend at all times in this league,” Barcomb said. “Each opponent has a different challenge for us and tonight was no different. We knew Dominguez had been clicking really well offensively and our focus was to try and slow Lee and Robinson down, while not letting somebody else go off on us, like the last time we played.”
Lucchesi scored five points, while a tough Pioneer defense held Cal State Dominguez Hills to a single basket on 1-of-9 from the field, propelling East Bay to a 10-2 advantage with 13:52 left in the first half. A pair of
Marlene MacMillan baskets enabled the Pioneers to maintain an 18-9 lead with 8:41 remaining.
Following a three-pointer by Walker, the Toros cut the Pioneers lead to 23-13 as Lee scored her 10th point of the half. East Bay was hurt by turnovers allowing the Toros to come within 24-19 with 2:42 left.
Brianna Terrance converted a basket, while Walker hit a free throw to give the Pioneers an eight-point halftime lead.
Robinson, who was scoreless in the first half and committed three fouls, converted a pair of three-point plays as the Toros cut the Pioneers' lead to 27-25 with 18:53 left in the game. The Toros tied the game with 16:44 remaining on a basket by Robinson.
The Pioneers responded with a 4-0 run on a pair of Finnegan free throws and a Lucchesi basket to regain a 31-27 lead with 15:44 left. East Bay increased its advantage 40-33 with 9:35 remaining on a Finlay jumper.
Finlay hit a basket and converted two free throws as the Pioneers enjoyed a 16-point advantage with 8:00 minutes left.
Robinson, who scored 12 points in the second half for the Toros, fouled out of the game at the 7:40 mark.
The Pioneers extended their lead to 56-36 with 4:48 left on a Finlay 3-pointer. East Bay, with the sixth best scoring defense in Division II, held the Toros to seven points the remainder of the contest to claim the 20-point victory.
“We struggled at times recognizing their defensive schemes but finally mentally and physically made the shift and went on the decisive run in the second half,” Barcomb said. “We must show much more composure when our opponents pick up the intensity. Team defense has allowed us to win some games, but we let our guard down tonight rebounding and truly can't afford to do that in these last few CCAA games. We have too much at stake and need to take advantage of being at home.”
East Bay will host Cal State L.A. on February 9 as part of Homecoming 2013. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
