HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team fell to visiting Cal State San Marcos by a final score of 85-69 on Thursday night, as the Cougars pulled away at the end of what had been a tightly-contested game.

Four players scored in double figures for the Pioneers, who fall to 7-13 for the season and 3-10 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. San Marcos continues an impressive first year in the conference, improving to 11-6 overall and 8-3 in CCAA play.

East Bay had an efficient night offensively, shooting 50 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range (8-for-21), and 75 percent from the free throw line (15-for-20). The Cougars had an advantage on the glass, out-rebounding the Pioneers 34 to 25. The visitors were also deadly from long range, knocking down 9-of-18 three-point attempts, led by Taran Brown with 23 points on 6-for-9 from deep. 

"We have played two very good offensive teams this week and both did what they wanted on that end of the floor," said head coach Gus Argenal. "For us to have a chance to win, we need to make a stand on the defensive end. When teams score in the 80's against us, our success rate is extremely low. We have to rebound, defend, and execute if we want to be an elite team."

The lead changed hands several times in a close, back-and-forth first half. Ultimately the squads went into the break with San Marcos holding a 38-36 lead. The Cougars opened the second half on a 10-4 run to grab momentum, then followed that up with a 12-2 run just a few minutes later to extend their lead to double digits.

Senior Alex Carmon answered back for the Pioneers, scoring back-to-back buckets in the paint. The home team continued to chip away down the stretch, with Jack Pasquini knocking down a jumper to pull East Bay within three at 62-59 with just over six minutes left.

Unfortunately that was as close as the Pioneers would get. It seemed that every time they got close to tying the score, San Marcos would come back down the floor and make a big shot.

Pasquini led the team with 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting and seven rebounds, reaching double figures for the third time in the last four games. 

Carmon and junior Jalen Richard both notched 13 points, with the latter pulling in five boards and dishing out a team-high three assists. Redshirt freshman Jordan Balser added 10 points on 3-for-5 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers, in 26 minutes off the bench. 

Senior Robert Garrett had an impactful night as well, going 2-for-2 from the field and recording two blocks. The seven-footer leads the team and ranks in the top-10 in the CCAA with 20 blocks for the season.

After four games in seven days, the Pioneers now have the weekend off before venturing on a difficult four-game road trip, which starts Friday, Feb. 5 at Chico State.