Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team picked up a 69-64 win over visiting Bristol University on Saturday night in the team's home opener at Pioneer Gymnasium. Four Pioneers scored in double figures as the squad improved its record to 2-2 this season.

East Bay shot 42.9 percent from the field as a team, and they never trailed after taking a 5-4 lead two and a half minutes into the game. The Pioneers also dominated the Bears (1-3) on the glass, out-rebounding them 40 to 26.

"This was a big week for our team to improve our defense, rebounding, and ability to finish games," said head coach Gus Argenal. "Tonight, we made clutch free throws down the stretch and made big defensive stops. Jacari Whitfield made big play after big play, and I was really pleased with his leadership."

The Pioneers jumped out to a big lead early in the first half behind Jack Pasquini's hot shooting. He scored the team's first seven points, including a pair of three-pointers, as part of a 16-4 run for East Bay to open the game. They ended up shooting just under 48 percent from the floor in the opening frame and took a comfortable 34-24 lead into the break.

The home team extended its advantage coming out of halftime, stretching the lead out to 15. But the momentum began to shift towards Bristol after the second media timeout, as the Bears started the find the shooting touch. Aided by 17 Pioneer turnovers in the game, Bristol shot 50 percent from the field in the second half and came all the way back to within two points at the five-minute mark.

The teams traded a couple baskets each, and then a pair of Bristol free throws made it 63-62 with 2:15 remaining in the game. With the lead nearly evaporated, Whitfield stepped up for the Pioneers. He drew a foul and made both free throws to take a three-point lead, and then the next time down the court, Whitfield -- who last week became CSUEB's all-time leader in career three-pointers -- buried a shot from long distance to make it 68-62. Bristol managed just one more basket in the final minute as East Bay held on for the win.

The Pioneers had their best performance of the season at the foul line, going 22-for-28 (78.6 percent) as a team. They were also impressive in limiting their fouls, committing just 12 in the game and forcing the Bears into a number of long jump shots. 

Whitfield finished with 11 points -- six of which came in the final two minutes -- and a team-high eight assists, going 3-for-4 from the field. Backcourt partner Juawnn Springfield paced the squad with 13 points and nine rebounds on 5-for-8 shooting.

Jarred Jourdan had his best offensive game of the young season with 11 points, four boards, and three assists. Pasquini finished with eight points to go along with nine rebounds and a pair of steals. 

Freshman Patrick Marr notched 10 points and five boards in 17 minutes off the bench, while Ryan Okwudibonye scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds. Fellow senior Darrick McIntosh also pulled in four boards and went 3-for-4 from the free throw line. 

"Tonight was a step in the right direction for our team, and we're excited for a big week coming up," Argenal added.

Next up, the Pioneers visit Division I Pacific for a midweek game in Stockton on Wednesday, Dec. 3 before opening California Collegiate Athletic Association play next weekend at home against No. 16 nationally ranked Cal Poly Pomona on Friday, Dec. 5.