Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team was outlasted by defending CCAA champion Cal Poly Pomona on Friday night by a score of 66-52. Senior Mark Samuels notched 22 points to lead all scorers for the Pioneers (5-6, 2-3 CCAA). The Broncos (6-3, 4-1 CCAA) shot 56.5 percent as a team.

The Pioneers managed to keep the game tight most of the way despite shooting just 34.5 percent from the field and being out-rebounded 34 to 23. They had a particularly off night from behind the arc, knocking down just 5-for-24 three-pointers. Nonetheless, East Bay trailed by single digits until the final minutes and perpetually seemed just one scoring run away from taking a lead.

"Cal Poly Pomona showed why they are the defending conference champions with their defense and playmaking down the stretch," said head coach Gus Argenal. "We have to bring a more inspired effort when playing a team of that caliber, and I expect us to bounce back with a great effort tomorrow night."

The Pioneers came into the game leading the CCAA in three-point shooting, but managed to hit just 20.8 percent of their long balls on Friday. Both Nick Grieves (2-for-9) and Gabe Kindred (1-for-6) struggled to get hot from long range despite entering the weekend as the top two three-point shooters in the conference.

The long ball has been a major part of East Bay's game this season, and they needed a few more friendly rolls to combat Cal Poly Pomona's noticeable size advantage. 

Samuels was 8-for-15 from the floor as he posted his second game this year of 20+ points and his sixth straight scoring in double figures. 

Kindred notched 11 points in a team-high 34 minutes. The senior also paced the squad with five rebounds and four assists in the loss. The rest of the Pioneer starting lineup combined for just nine points.

Grieves scored six off the bench, and Jacari Whitfield added five points. Ryan Hebebrand grabbed five boards -- three on the offensive end. Freshman Kyle Frakes pulled in four rebounds in his second career start.

The Pioneers had to work hard for open shots in this game, but they were able to hang around in spite of their shooting struggles. After Grieves knocked down a long three, they trailed by just seven with 4:35 left in the game. It wouldn't get any closer than that, however. The Broncos had an answer -- as they seemed to all night -- and DeRonn Scott came back down the floor and hit a three to push the lead back up to double figures for good. 

CSUEB is back in action tomorrow night with another tough CCAA game against Humboldt State. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. following the women's game. Come out to Pioneer Gym or watch live at pioneerwebtv.com.