TURLOCK, Calif. – The 2022-23 season for the Cal State East Bay men's basketball program commenced Friday evening on the campus of Stanislaus State. The Pioneers came away with a 71-60 win over Fresno Pacific.
Though the Pioneers played from behind early in the game, Cal State East Bay climbed back and took a lead late in the first half. Cal State East Bay scored the final 10 points of the half, as the Pioneers led 36-27.
Through 20 minutes, Cal State East Bay went 15-for-30 from the floor and made three of four free throws. Despite 15 turnovers in the first half, the Pioneers led 36-27 at the break.
FPU did climb back in the second half, and took a 54-52 lead at the 7:43 mark. But a jump shot by
Tim Andreolli sparked a 9-0 run that would put the Pioneers ahead for the rest of the game, as Cal State East Bay opened the 2022-23 season with a 71-60 win.
- Grady Lewis went 7-for-11 from the floor and made three free throws for a team-high 17 points.
- Other Cal State East Bay scorers in double-figures include Chris James with 13 points, Andreolli with 12 and Dimitrios Klonaras with 11.
- Klonaras was also the leading rebounder for the Pioneers with seven.
- Defensively, Klonaras was a force with five steals and a block.
- As a team, Cal State East Bay went 26-for-61 from the floor and 15-for-19 from the free throw line.
- For the Sunbirds, Darrin Person scored 16 points and had eight rebounds.
Cal State East Bay head coach
Bryan Rooney following Friday's season opening win:
"I was very proud of our effort tonight, especially how we responded to some adversity in the first half. Tim Andreolli's leadership was key throughout the night and a key to victory."
Cal State East Bay: 1-0
Fresno Pacific: 0-1
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
The Pioneers return to Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena on Saturday at 5 p.m. for a matchup against Point Loma their second game of the Stanislaus State Crossover Classic.
