HAYWARD, Calif., -- The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team's two game home win streak was snapped after falling to Cal State San Marcos, 79-71 in Pioneer Gymnasium on Thursday night, January 11.
 
With the loss the Pioneers move to 8-9 on the season and 4-7 in California Collegiate Athletic Corporation (CCAA) action. The Cougars outscored East Bay 56-35 after the intermission on 53.5% shooting from the field including 6-for-13 (46.1%) from long distance.
 
The Pioneers first half defense was stout as they held San Marcos to 7-for-30 (23.3%) shooting from the floor and 2-for-9 (22.2%) accuracy from three-point range. East Bay was in control of the game for 27 minutes of the contest, claiming a 36-23 halftime lead. The Pioneers would take their largest lead of the contest, 21 points at the 13:34 mark in the second half. The Cougars would go on two different 12-0 runs to climb back into the game.
 
Despite the outcome of the outing, several Pioneers turned in nice performances. Sophomore guard Druce Asah (Tracy, Calif.) led East Bay with 14 points and seven rebounds. Asah is leading CSUEB with 13.7 points per game in conference play. Senior guard Drew Bender (Phoenix, Ariz.) also put in a team leading 14 points and three assists. Bender tallied one steal while going 5-for-6 from the foul line.
 
East Bay dominated San Marcos in the painted area out rebounding the Cougars 41-32 and notching a 40-24 advantage in paint points. The Pioneers reserves contributed to 28 points to just three points from the Cougar bench.
 
Freshman Keshawn Bruner (Sacramento, Calif.) led East Bay with 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the field on 23 minutes off the bench. Bruner added five rebounds and two block. Sophomore Jordan Balser (Auburn, Calif.) chipped in nine points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal on 4-for-6 shooting from the floor.
 
Overall, the Pioneer shot 43.1% (28-for-65) from the field but also tied for their second worst shooting night of the season after a 5-for-25 (20%) showing from beyond the three-point arc, including a 1-for-10 showing in the opening half.
 
However, East Bay also tied for their second best shooting performance from the charity stripe going 10-for-12 (83.3%) for the contest.
 
Junior guard Juwan Anderson (Oakland, Calif.) notched 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting to go along with five rebounds, an assist, a steal and two blocks in 28 minutes.
 
The Pioneers will look to bounce back as they host UC San Diego on Saturday afternoon, January 13 at 3:30 p.m. in Pioneer Gymnasium.