HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team looks to improve to 2-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) when they host their conference home opener on Saturday against defending regular season champion Chico State, currently ranked No. 23 in the nation.

Pioneer Gym is scheduled for a "blackout" in the last game before the University's finals week. Fans are encouraged to wear black, and the first 500 in attendance will receive black #BeastBay t-shirts.

In their conference opener at Cal State San Bernardino on Tuesday, the Pioneers shot 57 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Coyotes 32-23 in an 81-70 victory. It was an impressive accomplishment for East Bay, which win just one road game in CCAA play in 2014-15.

Senior Jack Pasquini poured in a game-high 23 points on 8-for-11 from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds. He currently stands at fourth in the conference in rebounds with 8.3 per game. Ryan Okwudibonye notched 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting to go with seven rebounds.

Junior Jalen Richard had 11 points on 4-for-7 from the field and is the team's leader in scoring with 13.7 per game in the young season.

The Wildcats are 5-1 on the season and coming off a 78-58 non-conference win Tuesday at William Jessup University. They open conference play Friday night at San Francisco State.

Chico State finished 18-4 in the CCAA last season and captured the regular season title. Their season ended in the first round of the West Regionals to California Baptist.

Sophomore Corey Silverstrom leads the Wildcats averaging 16.8 points per game. Senior Robert Duncan, a First Team All-CCAA and Second Team All-West Region selection last year, averages 15 points a game. Sophomore Isaiah Ellis is the team's leading rebounder at 5.8 per game while averaging 12 points.

The contest against Chico State starts a run of six consecutive home games for the Pioneers that ends on New Year's Day when they face-off with cross-bay rival San Francisco State.