LOS ANGELES -- The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team turned in a tremendous defensive effort in squeaking out a 46-37 road victory over Cal State L.A. on Friday evening. 

The Pioneers (6-8, 2-5 CCAA) earn a split of their southern California road trip and win a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest for the first time since the opener at Cal State San Bernardino.

"Tonight was a great bounce-back night for our program," said head coach Gus Argenal. "We were led by the play of Jalen Richard and fueled by Robert Garrett and Jordan Balser off the bench. Robert came in and gave us great defense, and Jordan did a quality job of handling pressure all night. The most important outcome of this game is that we got it done on the defensive end -- I'm really proud of the team.

East Bay held the Golden Eagles to just 27.5 percent shooting (14-for-51) for the game, including 0-for-10 from long distance. The pioneers struggled from three-point range as well, but they nonetheless bested the home team at 34.8 percent from the field.

Junior Jalen Richard was CSUEB's leading scorer for the third game in a row, topping 20 points for the third straight contest. He finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds -- both season highs -- notching his first career double-double. Richard also grabbed a team-best five steals in the victory. He was East Bay's primary weapon, scoring 13 of the team's first 18 points and accounting for more than half of the squad's scoring for the night.

Senior Ryan Okwudibonye also reached double figures, posting 11 points and four rebounds. Overall, the Pioneers out-rebounded CSULA 38 to 33.

East Bay is back home next weekend for two more CCAA games, starting with a showdown vs. No. 17 UC San Diego on Jan. 15.