HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay women's basketball team suffered a frustrating loss to Academy of Art on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the 2016 Thanksgiving Shootout at Pioneer Gymnasium by a final score of 57-54.

The Pioneers led nearly the entire contest, but the Urban Knights out-scored them 14-5 in the fourth quarter to pull off the comeback. East Bay edged Academy of Art in field goal percentage (36.8 to 33.9 percent) and finished with a major advantage on the boards (44 to 30), but they struggled throughout the game from long distance, couldn't get their shots to fall in the final period, and committed too many costly turnovers down the stretch.

"We played outstanding, championship-caliber defense for four quarters, but we couldn't do the little things it takes to close out a very competitive game at the end," said head coach Shanele Stires.

The Pioneers dominated the interior for much of the game, led by redshirt freshman Morgan Greene, who had career highs with 16 points and four blocks to go along with nine rebounds. She went 8-for-12 from the field and will enter California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play next weekend as the conference's leading rebounder. 

Remy Puou posted 12 points and nine boards, while fellow senior Shontalene Trudeau added six points and seven rebounds. East Bay also got strong rebounding from its guards, led by Shomari Harris, who filled up the scoresheet with 12 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Elayshia Woolridge grabbed six boards in just 16 minutes off the bench. 

"Credit to Academy of Art for the way they fought and competed," Stires said. "We will learn a lot from tonight and identify many areas to improve. Games like this define you by how you respond to them."

With a record of 3-3 in non-conference play, the Pioneers will now hit the road to kick off the CCAA schedule. They visit Cal State Monterey Bay for the league opener this Friday night, followed by a trip across the Bay to San Francisco State on Saturday.