Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. — The Pioneer men lost at home to Cal State LA on Saturday night by a final score of 54-35. Facing one of the top defenses in the country, Cal State East Bay's offense stalled down the stretch, and the Golden Eagles (12-8, 9-7 CCAA) escaped with a win on Homecoming Weekend. It's the ninth straight loss for the Pioneers (5-15, 4-12 CCAA), who embark on a four-game road trip next week.
Cal State LA came into this game leading the nation in opponents' shooting percentage, and their defense was as good as advertised. At the start of the game, the scoring pace for both teams was similar to their previous meeting (a 54-45 Pioneer road victory). At the mid-point of the first half, the squads had combined for 20 total points, with East Bay leading 12-8. Unfortunately, that would be the Pioneers' last lead. Willie Trimble made consecutive baskets to tie the game, and the Golden Eagles never looked back.
Cal State LA went on an 18-6 run to close out the half, taking a 32-19 lead into the break. The Pioneers shot 24.1 percent in the opening frame, making 3-of-12 from three-point range. The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, got hot at the end of the half and posted a mark of 42.3 percent from the floor. East Bay continued its trend of working hard on the glass. Though undersized, they out-rebounded Cal State 20 to 19 in the first half, including 11 on the offensive end.
The Pioneers picked up their shooting to start the second half and were able to force some turnovers, but it wasn't enough to cut into the Golden Eagle lead. Cal State LA started the half up by 13, and by the 10-minute media timeout, their lead was still 14. With Jordan Richard, the nation's leader in blocks, roaming around the block on defense, the Pioneers had difficulty getting cleans shots around the basket. As a result, they couldn't put together the scoring run they needed to get back in the game. East Bay scored just two points in the final six minutes of game time, and Cal State LA hung on for the 19-point win.
The Pioneers held the Golden Eagles to 37.0 percent shooting, but were only able to hit at 25.4 percent themselves. Remarkably, East Bay grabbed more offensive rebounds (21) than defensive rebounds (16). Even more remarkably, the Pioneers attempted just five free throws, compared to 18 for Cal State LA.
Gabe Kindred led the Pioneers with 13 points, shooting 6-for-9 from the floor and pulling in six rebounds.
Ryan Hebebrand and
Nick Marshall tied for the team lead with seven rebounds, and Marshall added seven points.
Jacari Whitfield and
Jurrell Turner each scored five points, and
Jason Smith notched three points and six boards.
Vincent Capellino paced the Pioneers with three assists.
Trimble and Julian Camper scored 13 points each to led the Golden Eagles, who had three players in double figures. The third, Richard, scored 10 to go along with a game-high eight rebounds and six blocks.
Cal State East Bay hits the road this week for their longest trip of the year, mileage-wise. The team will visit Cal poly Pomona, ranked fourth in the nation, on Valentine's Day. After a travel day, the Pioneers head up north for a Saturday showdown with Humboldt State.
