HAYWARD, Calif. -- This Sunday afternoon, a trip down to Seaside puts an end to what has been an arduous calendar year for the women of the Cal State East Bay basketball program. But before the Pioneers turn the page into 2019, they will look to get back in the win column against conference rival Cal State Monterey Bay.

East Bay hit a bit of a rough patch heading into the holiday break with three straight losses, capped off by a 69-68 overtime heartbreaker vs. Point Loma last Wednesday. However, that's nothing compared to CSUMB's struggles this season as the Otters enter Sunday's contest in search of their first win of the season.

CSUEB's non-conference schedule is now complete, but the majority of the slate still remains. After visiting Monterey Bay, the Pioneers will play 15 conference games over the first two months of the new year before hosting the 2018-19 CCAA Championships Mar. 8-9 at Pioneer Gym.

"D" LEADING THE WAY
Despite their three-game skid, the Pioneers still rank among the top defensive teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). They're third in the league in scoring defense (59.2 ppg) and opponent field goal percentage (.357). They have also been effective defending the three-point arc, holding teams to 28.3 percent. And in spite of Morgan Greene's injury absence, East Bay has performed impressively on the glass, ranking fifth among the 13 CCAA schools in rebounding margin. 

McBUCKETS
Savannah McGill's performances in the last two games were among the best of what has been an impressive senior campaign thus far for the native of Lacey, Wash. She racked up 21 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks in a loss at SF State, then followed that up with 18 points and 22 boards against Point Loma. McGill leads the Pioneers in minutes, scoring, rebounding, assists, and blocks for the season, and she's one of just five CCAA players currently averaging more than 10 rebounds per game. 

RIDING ON "E"
East Bay's success in 2019 will likely depend heavily on the play of four-year senior Elayshia Woolridge, a First Team All-CCAA selection in 2017-18. After shooting just 13.7 percent from the field in her first four games, Woolridge has come on strong over the last month. She has scored in double figures in four of the last six games, and is coming off one of her best performances of the season with 14 points on 7-for-12 shooting against Point Loma.

BATTLE OF THE BAYS
The inaugural "Battle of the Bays" between CSUEB and CSUMB is tied 10-10 following the Fall athletics season. The Pioneers have a chance to take their first lead in the yearlong matchup with two points on the line in Sunday's game. 

OUTLOOK ON THE OTTERS
It has been a trying two months for first-year head coach CJ Pace, who did not inherit a particularly full cupboard, and whose team is 0-10 to start the season. The Otters rank last in the CCAA in several statistical categories, including field goal percentage (.310) and three-point shooting (.167), and they are being outscored by an average of 20 points per game. Four-year senior Jordana Price has been the team's best player, averaging 13.6 points and 4.2 rebounds.