HAYWARD, Calif. -- Senior Alex Carmon's half-court heave to send the game in overtime at the buzzer Saturday against #23 Chico State caught the rim and backboard, but didn't go in the hoop as the Pioneers lost 57-54. The Pioneers are now 1-1 in the CCAA and 3-4 overall. The Wildcats improve to 2-0 in the conference and 7-1 overall.

The game was an exciting one that saw eight lead changes, six ties and the largest lead only being eight points by Chico State with 15:23 left in the second half.

After Chico State's Corey Silverstrom sank two free throws to put his team up 55-51 with five seconds remaining in the game, the Pioneers' Jalen Richard hit a three-pointer from well beyond the line to keep his team alive, down 55-54.

The Pioneers would quickly foul to send Chico State's Jalen McFerren to the line, where he would hit both free throws to make it 57-54. Carmon had a good look from midcourt on the attempted buzzer-beater and very nearly sent to the raucous home crowd into a frenzy and the game into overtime.

Cal State East Bay Head Coach Gus Argenal was impressed with head coach Greg Clink's Wildcat squad and his team in Saturday's CCAA contest.

"I have to give a lot of credit to Coach Clink's team for the way they competed on the road. I thought this was a classic CCAA battle and the defensive effort was high-level. I am proud of my team and the way they are coming together but we have to improve significantly on our margin of error, especially in these tight games."

Richard, a junior had 17 points that came on 6-11 shooting and 3-4 on three-pointers. Carmon had 12 points and three steals in 30 minutes. Richard and junior Pierre Carter led the team in rebounds with four. Senior Tre Mauldin had nine points in 15 minutes.

Chico State shot 44% (22-50) from the field, while Cal State East Bay shot 38.8% (19-49). The Wildcats had 32-29 rebounding advantage. The Wildcats converted 17 Pioneer turnovers into 16 points. The Pioneers put in 11 points off 16 Wildcat turnovers.

Cal State East Bay is off until Saturday when they host Simpson University at 5:00 P.M. in a non-conference game.