Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal State East Bay never trailed on Saturday night taking down Fresno Pacific 76-41 inside Pioneer Gymnasium. The Pioneers won their fourth straight matching their best start since the 2005-06 campaign.

After a sloppy opening five minutes in which both teams combined for only six points, Cal State East Bay went on to build a 37-16 halftime cushion. The Pioneers were near perfect from beyond the arc in the first half with one of Sharissa Estremera's three 3-pointers on the night sparking an early run to take control of the game.

Estremera, Shannon Bland, and Stephanie Lopez combined to knock down 8-of-10 from distance including a perfect 5-for-5 in the first half. Bland finished with a season-high 13 points to go along with six assists and two steals in what Head Coach Suzy Barcomb said was "by far her best game of the season."

"Everyone was hitting (from three) and it was really nice. Last night we couldn't get anything going offensively and I think we all focused and knew what we needed to do," said Bland.

Lopez finished with a game-high 19 points and Estremera matched her career-high with nine. The Pioneers finished 8-of-11 from distance and made eight 3-pointers for only the second time since the 2011-12 season.
 
"Stephanie can pretty much do anything, but shooting is her comfort zone and she's really good at it. I enjoy playing with (Stephanie) on my side because I want to bring the ball up, and she wants to shoot," complimented Bland of her senior teammate.

Remy Puou followed up her first career double-double with another posting 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three blocks. Tori Breshers finished with nine points and a career-high 14 boards with 10 coming in the first half. The Pioneers lengthy scoring run came courtesy of its dominance on the glass racking up a 28-11 advantage on the boards.

"We shot the ball well from long range tonight, something we haven't done all year. It opened up the middle for us and we were able to get some good looks at the rim as well," Barcomb said.

Thirteen different Pioneers saw action on Saturday including the collegiate debut of Amani Alexander. LeAnne Willingham had a productive return from injury with four points, two steals, and an assist in eight minutes. Kelsey Asplund knocked down 3-of-4 free throws to notch her scoring high as a Pioneer. Marianne Fernandez, Mo Fegan, Micah Walker, Bianca Littleton, and Estremera completed a reserve group that outscored its counterpart 23-16.

The Sunbirds offense failed to reach 50 points for the fourth straight game to open their season. Fresno Pacific's (0-4) already struggling offense was without its scoring leader Charde Stevens, who poured in 26 points in last year's meeting with the Pioneers. Jenay Herring and Keairra White led the visiting side with nine points each.

"The fact that we played five games in nine days and considering all of our injuries, grinding out a 4-1 record is a bonus for us. We hope to get everyone back healthy in the near future as we head into league play," added Barcomb.

Cal State East Bay (4-1) will resume action with its California Collegiate Athletic Association opener on Friday, Dec. 5, versus Cal Poly Pomona.