SAN MARCOS, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team had a tough start to the new year on Thursday, dropping a road contest against Cal State San Marcos, 83-56, at The Sports Center.

CSUEB (9-5, 5-3 CCAA) fell behind 14-2 early on and was never able to climb out of the hole. 

Senior forward Ant Navarrete led the Pioneers with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Junior forward Zafir Williams added 17 points with 11 rebounds, senior Evan Wardlow scored a season-high nine points and junior guard Malik McCowan had four assists in a season-high 19 minutes.

After a slow start, the Pioneers pulled within four, 25-21, on Navarrete's layup with 5:01 remaining in the first half. However, the Cougars responded with a 10-0 run en route to taking a 12-point halftime advantage.

Another Navarrete bucket inside early in the second half cut the deficit to seven, but CSUSM (6-7, 2-5) quickly put together a 10-1 run to extend its lead to 55-39 with 12:33 left.

Marcus Brown scored a game-high 22 points for the Cougars.

Cal State East Bay returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 4, as the Pioneers play on ESPN3 against No. 6 UC San Diego beginning at 8 p.m.