LA JOLLA, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team fell on the road Friday night to UC San Diego by a final score of 65-54. Playing in front of nearly 3,400 Triton fans -- their largest crowd of the season -- the Pioneers trailed by one point at halftime, but ultimately came up just short in trying to secure their first road win.

East Bay drops to 4-15 for the season and 2-11 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) competition. UCSD remains in the hunt for the postseason at 11-6 overall and 9-4 in league play.

For the third straight game, the injury-riddled Pioneer squad played with just eight healthy student-athletes. But they turned in another inspired defensive effort, holding the top outside shooting team in the CCAA to just 28 percent from three-point range and 41 percent from field overall.

"I could not be more proud of our team," said head coach Gus Argenal. "We went into a hostile environment and competed for 40 minutes. UCSD is one of the best teams in the league, and they play hard every night. We stepped up to the challenge, but we were hindered by turnovers and lack of rebounding in the second half. We are close."

The hot shooting of senior Jacari Whitfield and sophomore Paramvir Singh kept the game tight throughout the first half. Singh scored nine of his 10 points in the opening frame as the teams traded leads four times. 

CSUEB led 18-17 after Whitfield's second long ball, but UCSD countered to grab a 21-20 lead before halftime, and they never relinquished it. 

The Pioneers continued to fight in the second half, trading baskets with the Tritons in front of a loud and impassioned crowd. With 12 minutes left, Whitfield buried a floater in the lane to bring East Bay within two at 35-33, but UCSD answered by rattling off a 16-2 run, which essentially put the game away down the stretch.

As a team, the Pioneers shot 35 percent from the field, 75 percent at the free throw line, and went 8-for-26 from long distance. They were edged out by the Tritons in total rebounds, 36 to 29.

Whitfield posted team highs with 14 points and four assists, while playing all 40 minutes. Singh was the only other Pioneer in double figures, as the Hayward native finished 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and grabbed four rebounds. 

Junior Marcus Norman scored nine points and had three rebounds making his first start of the season. Freshman Patrick Marr added six points and pulled in six boards to lead the team.

Senior Cody Kale and sophomore Kyle Frakes notched six points and two rebounds apiece. Senior Nick Grieves had three boards and went 1-for-2 on three-pointers in his first game back from an injury.

East Bay's road trip continues on Saturday with a trip up Highway 15 to take on first-place Cal Poly Pomona. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. following the women's game.