HAYWARD, Calif. — It's been two years since Ben Wood last appeared in a college game. 

His wait has finally come to an end.

Wood rejoined the Pioneers in practice this week, and will help lead the Cal State East Bay men's basketball team into road contests at Humboldt State on Thursday, Jan. 23, and at Stanislaus State on Saturday, Jan. 25.

CSUEB (10-8, 6-6 CCAA) was able to get back to its winning ways with a home victory over Sonoma State, 80-70, on Jan. 18, and receives a big boost this week with Wood's return to the lineup.

A Division-I transfer who spent his first two collegiate years at California Baptist, Wood was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor soon after coming to Cal State East Bay in the fall of 2018 and hasn't played since.

In his last season of action at Diablo Valley College in 2017-18, Wood started all 27 games averaging 13.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 39-percent from 3-point range. 

Needless to say, the Walnut Creek native is eager to get back on the court.

"It's a little surreal being back at practice," Wood said. "The pace of play seems faster. It's been a couple years since I've played 5-on-5 with top-notch hoopers. 

"I'm going to bring a lot of passion, energy and some experience."

Although he hasn't physically been on the court the first half of the season, Wood has soaked in a lot about the game mentally from the sidelines.

"I've always been a smart player, but now I understand why things are done the way they are from a coaching standpoint," he said. "I understand the X's and O's a lot better."

Cal State East Bay has already played Humboldt State (7-10, 3-9) and Stanislaus State (11-6, 7-5) this season, defeating the Lumberjacks on Dec. 14 and dropping a home contest to the Warriors on Dec. 22.

Wood didn't play in either game, but is fully locked in on this week's game plan.

"They're both really good, dangerous teams," said Wood. "Our coaches do a great job of scouting. If we can take away their go-to guys, we'll be able to be successful."
 
PIONEER POINTS

• Cal State East Bay has won two-straight meetings with Humboldt State, including a 81-75 victory on Dec. 14 
• The Pioneers have won two of the last three matchups against Stanislaus State and five of the last seven
• Cal State East Bay ranks fourth in the CCAA in points allowed (69.6) and fifth in field goal percentage defense (.433)
• CSUEB is fourth in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.341), fourth turnover margin (3.11) and fourth in steals per game (8.17)
• Junior forward Zafir Williams leads the CCAA in scoring, averaging 18.2 points per contest
• Williams ranks second in the CCAA in rebounding with 8.1 per game, is seventh in field-goal percentage (.488) and fifth in free-throw percentage (.835)
• Junior forward Ant Navarrete ranks seventh in the conference with 6.7 rebounds per game
• Junior guard Nai Carlisle is second on the team with 11.4 points per game, and ranks 15^thin the CCAA in assists per game (2.7)