Game Highlights

HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay women's basketball team turned in an outstanding defensive effort on Thursday, pulling away for a 56-40 win over visiting Cal State San Bernardino at Pioneer Gym. 

It's the second straight win in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play for the Pioneers, who earn a season split with the Coyotes. East Bay's record improves to 9-11 overall and 6-8 in conference play, keeping them in the thick of the postseason race.

This also marks the sixth game this season (and the second straight) in which the Pioneers have held their opponents under 50 points. Neither squad shot the ball particularly well on this night, as East Bay hit 27 percent from the field and San Bernardino finished just under 30 percent. But the difference in the game was on the glass, where the Pioneers were dominant.

CSUEB out-rebounded the Coyotes 50-31 as a team, their largest rebounding advantage in a game this season. 19 of those boards came on the offensive end, resulting in 19 second-chance points for the home team.

The Pioneers trailed 23-22 after a tight, low-scoring first half. But they came out of the break and found some offensive rhythm, quickly grabbing a lead. Savannah McGill keyed the rally, scoring 11 of her game-high 17 points in the second half and getting herself to the free throw line effectively. 

East Bay took an eight-point advantage into the fourth quarter and stretched it to 13 midway through the period. Their defense stymied any hopes CSUSB had at a comeback, limiting the visitors to just eight points in the final quarter. 

McGill entered the contest as the second-leading rebounder in the CCAA and pulled in 11 boards to notch her 10th double-double of the season. Fellow senior Elayshia Woolridge also reached double figures in scoring with 14 points, going 2-for-3 from long distance. 

Junior Regina Sankey added nine points and paced the Pioneers with 11 rebounds and five steals. In the backcourt, Ruobing Bai contributed six points off the bench, while Madison Schiller and Delia Moore finished with four apiece. 

The Pioneers will look to carry over the momentum from this win into Saturday, when they host a very good Cal Poly Pomona team at 1 p.m. CSUEB will be trying to even the season series after the Broncos escaped with a two-point victory when the teams met earlier this month in Pomona.