Game Highlights

HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay women's basketball turned in an outstanding defensive effort on Thursday evening at Pioneer Gym and pulled away in the second half for a 63-48 win over visiting Stanislaus State.

It's the second straight win for the Pioneers, who open the New Year on a high note by evening up their record at 7-7 overall and 4-4 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) games.

The score was tight through the first half despite a poor shooting performance by East Bay, which shot 28 percent from the field in the first two quarters. Stanislaus led by as many as seven midway through the second, but senior Courtenay Brown led a mini-run by scoring all five of her points in the last two minutes before halftime, sending the teams to the break with the Warriors ahead by just two.

The momentum flipped in the second half towards the home bench, as the Pioneers locked down on defense and held Stanislaus to just seven points in the third quarter. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore Madison Schiller caught fire to lead the East Bay offense, scoring 13 of her career-high 17 points in the second half. She finished as the game's leading scorer, going 7-for-10 from the floor.

The Pioneers shot 55 percent as a team after halftime, while holding Stanislaus to just 8-for-29 from the field during that span. They also won the rebounding battle, led by senior Savannah McGill, who notched a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Regina Sankey added 10 points on 3-for-6 shooting off the bench. Elayshia Woolridge contributed eight points, five of which came of crucial possessions down the stretch to help the Pioneers seal the victory.

East Bay also turned in its best effort of the season from the free throw line, as seven different players combined to go 19-for-20 at the stripe.

Next up, the Pioneers make their first Southern California road trip of the season for tough matchups at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino next Thursday and Saturday.