STOCKTON, Calif. – Cal State East Bay women's basketball fell to No. 1 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills 76-57 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament title game on Saturday night inside Stockton Arena. Senior Stephanie Lopez and junior Tori Breshers became the first two players in Pioneer history to be named to the CCAA All-Tournament Team following the championship final.

In the two regular season meetings Cal State East Bay trailed Cal State Dominguez Hills (26-6) by 19 and 14 points, respectively before losing by double-digit margins. Despite trailing only 33-31 at the half on Saturday and eventually pulling even at the 18-minute mark, the Pioneers were possibly feeling the effects of their previous efforts.

"It was pretty obvious to tell it was our third game in three days. I think the emotion and excitement of getting to play for the title carried us in the first half," said East Bay Head Coach Suzy Barcomb. "We have a short bench and in the second half it just caught up to us."

The Cal State East Bay contingent gave Stockton Arena the feel of an East Bay home game. With school President Dr. Leroy Morishita sitting courtside, several Pioneer athletic teams in attendance, and families of players cheering on, it helped lift the team during the early stages.

"We are so appreciative of the fans. It felt like a home game. Everyone who was out there was loud," said East Bay senior Micah Walker. "The fact that we were in this position shows how far along Coach Barcomb has brought this program."

After pulling off second half comeback after comeback during the regular season and again in the postseason the Pioneers were hoping to recapture the magic one last time. The self-proclaimed underdogs were in a familiar spot, but this time were unable to keep pace out of halftime.

Breshers carried the offensive load early on scoring nine of the team's first 14 points. Lopez scored 12 of her team-high 20 points over the first 20 minutes including the final five of the period. Laci Effenberger knocked down a pair of game-tying 3-pointers as the East Bay trio combined to score all but four of the team's 31 points first half points.

A couple of early baskets out of the break tied the game 37-37 putting CSUEB 18 minutes away from the tournament title and a guaranteed ticket to March Madness. Unfortunately the top seeded Toros had other ideas and outscored the Pioneers 39-20 the rest of the way.

Cal State East Bay connected on only 5-of-33 shots during that stretch as Cal State Dominguez Hills received big second half efforts from Anandi Jimenez and Breanna Garcia. The pair combined to score 25 second half points highlighted by a 12-of-12 effort at the free throw line.

After only three first half trips to the foul line Cal State Dominguez Hills connected on 20-of-23 in the second half courtesy of 15 foul calls on Cal State East Bay. The Pioneers went 11-of-14 with all seven second half fouls on the Toros called in the act of shooting.

East Bay's Remy Puou finished with eight points and nine rebounds in the loss. She averaged 10.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the tournament.

Each member of the CSUDH starting five scored in double digits led by 20 from Anandi Jimenez. Taylor Champion finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds. The starting group scored all but two of the team's 76 points in the win.

Lopez averaged 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists over the three games of the CCAA Tournament. Breshers put up 12.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game as both were named to the All-Tournament team.

"You can look at the record books to see Steph, Tori, and Micah and it's self-explanatory," Barcomb responded to the contributions of her two All-Tournament players and four-year senior. "For me personally, it goes deeper than that. When they win awards it's about our program, university and culture…And that is very special."

In what was her 115th game, and possibly last in an East Bay uniform, Walker led the team with 10 rebounds and added seven points. More importantly the senior group of Alyssa Palma, Sharissa Estremera, Lopez and Walker have played a major role in taking the program to the next level.

"I hope this senior class left a lasting legacy. I hope the returners remember what it is like to be here and are not complacent with just making it to this point. We left our mark historically, but there is still much more to achieve," said Walker.

A very special and historic season will either be extended or concluded following the announcement on Sunday, March 8, of the West Region teams moving on to the NCAA Tournament. Cal State East Bay is currently 20-11 with six wins over teams in the West Region top-10 rankings released on Wednesday, March 4.