ATHERTON, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team lost an overtime heartbreaker on the road to Menlo College on Saturday evening by a final score of 75-74. Daniel Romero gave the Oaks (1-5) the narrow win over the Pioneers (1-2) by knocking down a pair of free throws with four seconds left in the extra period. 

Senior Ryan Okwudibonye led all scorers and set a career high with 22 points and nine rebounds for CSUEB, including a go-ahead bucket in the paint to give the Pioneers a one-point lead before Menlo's final possession. Junior Jack Pasquini posted his first career double-double, racking up 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Senior Jacari Whitfield set a program record in the loss. His second three-pointer of the night was the 138th of his career, which makes him Cal State East Bay's all-time career leader. Whitfield went 2-for-4 from long range in the game and finished with nine points and two assists.

"Menlo played an exceptional game and made big plays all night," said head coach Gus Argenal. "Coach Surface and his team deserve all the credit for the composure they showed and the way they played down the stretch. We had a chance to get a road win tonight, but we could not make the big stops and get the big rebounds. We played hard, but Menlo played harder."

The game was tight throughout as neither squad held a lead of more than six points. The Pioneers were efficient early, shooting 56.3 percent from the field in the first half and taking a five-point advantage into the break at 41-36.

They cooled off in the second half, going just 9-for-27 from the field, as Menlo managed to erase their deficit in the closing minutes. Whitfield's record-breaking triple was a huge one in the context of the game, as he broke a 64-64 tie with 42 seconds left in regulation. The Oaks answered back with a basket to make it 67-66, and then Whitfield drew a foul the next time down the court and made one of two free throws.

Menlo's Mikey Eggleton, who finished with a team-high 20 points, scored in the paint with 12 seconds left to tie the score back up. The Pioneers then had a chance before the final buzzer, but Juawnn Springfield's shot was blocked by Zach Wurm, and they went to an extra frame at 68-68.

The Oaks scored on the first possession of the overtime and clung to a one-possession lead until the final two minutes. After grabbing a board on the other end, Springfield got to the rim and scored to bring the Pioneers within one point. The next time down the court, Okwudibonye found the bottom of the net to give East Bay the lead with 45 seconds left. Two offensive rebounds on the next possession allowed Menlo to hold the ball for the remainder of the game. They called a timeout after the second one, and then Romero was able to draw contact and get to the foul line for the winning free throws.

Overall, the Pioneers shot 43.9 percent from the floor, but they went just 5-for-18 on three-pointers and 11-for-18 from the free throw line. They out-rebounded Menlo, 41 to 38, but the Pioneers more than doubled their season turnover total with 15 on this night.

Okwudibonye (9-for-13) and Pasquini (7-for-15) were both efficient in their shooting. Springfield played all 40 minutes for the Pioneers, finishing with 11 points and a team-high four assists. Senior Jarred Jourdan added eight points and four rebounds. 

After three exhibitions and three regular season games on the road, CSUEB finally makes its debut in Pioneer Gymnasium next weekend. East Bay welcomes in Bristol University for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, Nov. 29.