Box Score

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team was topped by Santa Clara University, 82-72, in its preseason finale in front of a crowd of 1,512 at the Leavey Center on Friday night.

In their third straight exhibition game against a Division I opponent, the Pioneers trailed by just three points at halftime before the Broncos pulled away late in the second half for the 10-point victory.

Senior Nick Grieves knocked down six three-pointers and led CSUEB with 22 points and seven rebounds, going 8-for-13 from the field. Junior Juawnn Springfield finished with 14 points along with six boards. He also posted team-highs with six assists and three steals. The pair played 38 and 37 minutes, respectively, and they attempted 30 of the team's 60 shots. 

"Tonight was a much better performance for our program," said head coach Gus Argenal. "We guarded harder and longer, rebounded well, and did a better job cutting off transition. I was excited about the passion and intensity we had as a group."

Santa Clara jumped out to an early advantage in the first half and looked to be in control of the game. They led by as many as 10 points at 30-20, but the Pioneers refused to let them pull away. Grieves knocked down five three-pointers in the frame, and Cal State East Bay out-scored SCU 17-12 over the final eight minutes of the half. As a team, the Pioneers went 7-for-14 from beyond the arc (50 percent) and went into halftime with the score 42-39. 

The second half was a different story as East Bay lost its hot hand from outside. The Pioneers went 2-for-10 on three-pointers after the break. They also found themselves in foul trouble and spent the latter part of the game in the bonus. After the second media timeout of the frame, the Broncos were finally able to start to pull away behind reigning WCC Newcomer of the Year Jared Brownridge, who finished with 23 points. 

For the game, Santa Clara out-shot East Bay 45.8 to 41.7 percent from the field. The Broncos also attempted twice as many free throws as the Pioneers (46 to 23). East Bay finished the night just 13-for-23 at the line (56.5 percent) and 9-for-24 from long distance (37.5 percent). The Pioneers were called for 31 fouls, but for the first time in preseason play, nobody fouled out of the game.

"Coach Keating's team does an excellent of executing their sets abd creating shots for their scorers," added Argenal. "We had our chances to cut into the lead, but because of our fouling and some inopportune turnovers, we couldn't make that late run."

Senior Ryan Okwudibonye scored all 10 of his points in the second half and added three rebounds. Junior Jack Pasquini notched seven points and four boards off the bench, and freshman Patrick Marr added five points and five rebounds. 

Senior Jarred Jourdan also scored five points to go along with four assists. Junior Marcus Norman buried a couple of long balls to finish with six points.

CSUEB now has a week to prepare for its regular season opener next Friday night. The Pioneers take on Montana State Billings at 5:30 p.m. as part of the Penguin Preseason Conference Challenge, hosted by Dominican University.