ARCATA, Calif. – Cal State East Bay's valiant second half comeback fell just shy as Humboldt State remained unbeaten in league play holding off the Pioneers 68-66. Stephanie Lopez scored 16 of her game-high 29 points in the second half and pulled her team within a single point on three separate occasions over the final five-plus minutes of regulation.

"We battled all night. We competed and showed heart," said East Bay Head Coach Suzy Barcomb proud of her team's effort. "Humboldt State is undefeated in league for a reason. They have multiple weapons, are disciplined, and extremely well coached."

Cal State East Bay trailed 55-40 at the midway point of the second half. The Pioneers then scored 13 unanswered and went on a 15-1 run after Lopez completed an and-one with five minutes left in regulation.

The teams would trade baskets and two point possession multiple times as Humboldt State (13-1, 9-0 CCAA) led 63-62 with two minutes remaining. HSU's Danielle Gaumer's lone points of the game came at a crucial point, knocking down a 3-pointer to put the Jacks up four.

Lopez cut the deficit to two with 10 seconds left and the Pioneers fouled. The Jacks missed the front end of a one-and-one at the free throw line but grabbed the offensive rebound. Humboldt State turned it over on its ensuing inbounds pass and Cal State East Bay would have one final possession to tie or win the game
.
The Pioneers were unable to put a potential game-tying or game-winning shot up in the air as a turnover in the final second ended Thursday's action. CSUEB is the first team in the CCAA to finish the game within a single possession of HSU this season.

Jae Shin led Humboldt State with 18 points including a 4-of-9 effort from distance. The Jacks finished 6-of-17 from beyond the arc while the Pioneers went 0-of-5. A'Jaee Foster and Kersey Wilcox finished with 16 and 11 points, respectively.

Lopez led all players with 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the floor and 9-of-10 at the free throw line. The Pioneers finished 24-of-32 at the charity stripe as a team while the Jacks connected on 12-of-15 attempts.

Tori Breshers finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots. Lopez and Breshers combined to score 44 of the team's 66 points and grab 16 of East Bay's 36 rebounds.

Bianca Littleton scored all six of her points in nine second half minutes. She went 3-for-5 from the field during that stretch.

"Bianca gave us a huge lift in the second half. She provided us with a spark on both ends of the floor," Barcomb added.

Cal State East Bay (9-6, 4-5 CCAA) will be on the road Saturday, Jan. 17, to take on Cal State San Bernardino (10-3, 6-3 CCAA). The Coyotes earned a 75-53 home win over Cal State Monterey Bay on Thursday evening.