ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- Outstanding defense propelling the Cal State East Bay women's basketball team to a satisfying 55-38 road win at Sonoma State Thursday evening in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) action.

It's the second straight win for the Pioneers, which evens their conference record at 2-2 and vaults them over the .500 mark for the season at 5-4. 

East Bay frustrated the Seawolves all 40 minutes, holding the home team to just 30 percent shooting, forcing 20 turnovers, and winning the rebounding battle by a margin of 33-28.

After the teams went back and forth in the opening period, the second quarter was when the Pioneers locked down on defense and began to pull away. They allowed just six points in that frame, went on a 6-0 run just before halftime, and extended their advantage to nine heading into the break.

The Pioneers withstood Sonoma's attempts to rally back, thanks in part to a big game from sophomore Faith Turner, who finished with 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting. East Bay also knocked down some big outside shots down the stretch, going for 4-for-10 in the second half from long distance.

Elayshia Woolridge caught fire late in the game to help the visitors extend their lead. After missing the first couple games of the season, the All-CCAA honoree appears to be hitting her stride. She scored 13 of her team-high 15 points after halftime, including a 3-for-5 performance from three-point range. Woolridge also filled up the scoresheet with eight rebounds and five assists.

Fellow senior Savannah McGill had a tough shooting night, but contributed five points, four assists, three blocks, and a team-high nine rebounds. Kincso Kelemen and Regina Sankey each tallied six points, with the former hitting a pair from beyond the arc, and the latter pulling in five boards as well. 

CSUEB finished the game impressively, limiting the Seawolves to just eight points and three field goals in the entire fourth quarter. This is the third time this season the Pioneers have held an opponent under 50 points.

East Bay will look to continue that momentum Saturday when the team visits Chico State for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off against the always-tough Wildcats at Acker Gym.