HAYWARD, Calif. – Remy Puou's final two of her career-high 23 points came courtesy of the game-winning basket as Cal State East Bay outlasted Minnesota State Moorhead 63-59 on Friday night. Puou finished with her first career double-double as the Pioneers won their third straight home opener in dramatic fashion.

"Remy played a monster game. She battled all night long and we needed every single point and rebound," praised East Bay Head Coach Suzy Barcomb of the sophomore post player. "She keeps improving each game and we as a staff are excited with her progress."
 
It was a promising start for Cal State East Bay as the home side opened the game on an 11-2 run. From that point on Minnesota State Moorhead (1-3) outscored the Pioneers 31-17 over the final 13-plus minutes to take a five point lead into the half.

Meghan Roehrich led the Dragons with 32 points in yesterday's victory over San Francisco State and spearheaded the comeback effort on Friday. She connected on 4-of-5 attempts from three and scored 19 first half points. The second half was a different story as she managed only two points, both on free throws, finishing with 21 and as the only MSUM player to score in double figures.

"I think we came together tonight as team. We really came together defensively the last five minutes and that's what won us the game," said Puou. "We can substitute players and maintain a high level of energy. It was a team effort and everyone was contributing in any way they could."

Puou came alive in the second half with 15 points including the eventual game-winning basket. After seeing limited action due to foul trouble in the previous three games she contributed 23 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocked shots in the victory.

For the first time this season Stephanie Lopez was not the team's leading scorer as she finished with 18 points and went 10-for-10 at the free throw line. She is 37-of-40 (.925) at the foul line this season and leads all California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) qualifying players in free throw percentage.

"Stephanie and Shannon Bland were not hitting from the outside, but they kept their focus and got to the rim. They knocked down big buckets and freebies towards the end of the game," complimented Barcomb.
 
Bland sunk the final pair of free throws with :02.8 seconds remaining pushing a 61-59 lead to four points. They were the final two of her season-high 10 points and capped off an 18-of-23 team performance at the charity stripe.

"It wasn't necessarily a pretty win, but I thought the final four minutes we executed very well and got some key stops against a very talented team. Moorhead is a well-coached team and their post play is complimented nicely with their deep 3-ball shooting guards," added Barcomb.
 
The Cal State East Bay defense held MSUM to just a 6-for-23 shooting performance in the second half including 1-for-7 from downtown. Puou played a big role in the Pioneers' 32-16 advantage in points in the paint.

Cal State East Bay (3-1) will host Fresno Pacific (0-3) on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m.