HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay women's basketball team pulled away late in the fourth quarter to secure a 68-58 victory over Dominican University on Saturday evening at Pioneer Gym.

The win gives the Pioneers a 2-0 record at their own Conference Challenge tournament to open the 2015-16 regular season. 

The teams played a tight, back-and forth contest nearly the entire way. The Pioneers trailed by one point at halftime and led by one after three quarters. In the fourth, East Bay heated up from long distance, and Tori Breshers took over on both ends of the floor to lead a late rally.

"We seemed out of sorts throughout most of the game on the offensive end of the floor, but I thought the final five minutes of the fourth quarter was East Bay basketball," said head coach Suzy Barcomb.

The Pioneers shot 40.4 percent from the field and 44.4 percent (8-for-18) from three-point range for the game. They also took care of the business at the free throw line, hitting 75 percent overall and making them down the stretch to preserve the lead. East Bay's defense held Dominican to 36.4 percent shooting, and the Pioneers out-rebounded them 38 to 33.

"Our focus all night was to try and limit the production of Allyssa Weatherd and Taylor Donnot," Barcomb noted. "We gave that defensive assignment to Tori and Shannon Bland, and I thought they did a great job. We lost shooters a couple of times and had some defensive errors, and Dominican really capitalized on those mistakes."

Breshers racked up 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead all players. She went 10-for-12 at the free throw line, grabbed six offensive boards, and notched two blocks. The senior also totaled four steals, including a pair of key takeaways late in the fourth quarter as East Bay took control of the game.

"Tori was a force late in the game and helped us close out an important victory," Barcomb praised. "She was solid at the free throw line, made some great post moves, and picked up key fouls against Dominican's post players."

Ashleigh Anderson also made some big shots for the Pioneers, finishing with 13 points and four rebounds in 25 minutes. The junior from Oregon went 3-for-4 from long distance.

"Ash did a nice job of stepping into the starting lineup to give us a little more size on defense," said Barcomb. "She was solid throughout most of the night."

East Bay's senior backcourt trio played a huge role in the victory, as well. Bland reached double figures with 11 points, while Laci Effenberger totaled eight points and a team-high three assists. Madison Craig also scored eight points on 2-for-4 shooting, and she was second on the squad with eight rebounds.

"Maddie gave us a big spark off the bench tonight, provided us with defensive energy, and really got on the glass for us," Barcomb commented.

Forwards Katrina Bacovcin and Bianca Littleton each finished with two points and four rebounds off the bench. 

The non-conference schedule continues next week as the Pioneers travel out of state to Colorado Springs for another two-game tournament. East Bay takes on Colorado-Colorado Springs on Friday, Nov. 20 followed by Metro State on Saturday, Nov. 21.