CHICO, Calif. – On Saturday, the Cal State East Bay men's basketball team battled tough against Chico State in CCAA action, but came up short, falling 59-56.
 

GAME SUMMARY

 
No lead for either team was more than nine points in the first half. While Cal State East Bay scored the first five points of the game after a 3-pointer from Tim Andreolli and a pair of free throws from Chris James, Chico State took a lead for the first time in the game at the 9:52 mark.
 
The Wildcats built their largest lead of the first half, 28-19 at the 1:22 mark. But going into halftime, the Pioneers cut the deficit to six points in the final minute on another 3-pointer from Andreolli. Chico State led 28-22 at halftime.
 
At the 16:20 mark of the second half, Chico State led 31-25. Shortly thereafter, James made a free throw which started a 14-1 run, as the Pioneers led 40-32 with 10:41 left in regulation.
 
From the 10:12 mark to the 5:35 mark, a 17-4 run by the Wildcats put them back in front, 49-44.
 
The Pioneers kept the game close, coming within a point on two occasions, including the latest with 42 seconds left after a layup by James. Chico State led 57-56. However, the Pioneers had an opportunity left after a turnover by the Wildcats, but were unable to capitalize. After a pair of free throws for the Wildcats in the closing seconds, Chico State finished with a 59-56 win.
 

NOTABLE STATS

• Kevin Ebiriekwe was the Pioneers' leading scorer with a season-high 18 points, going 7-for-11 from the floor and 3-for-7 from the free throw line.
• James finished with 12 points, including eight free throws and a pair of field goals.
• With a team-high seven rebounds for Cal State East Bay was Grady Lewis.
• Defensively, Ebiriekwe had two blocks and two steals.
• Joshua Hamilton led Chico State in scoring with 14 points and Kelvin Wright Jr. had a double double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. 

RECORDS

 
Cal State East Bay: 4-10, 2-6 CCAA
Chico State: 7-6, 5-3 CCAA
 

UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY

 
On Thursday, January 12, the Pioneers return to action with the first of back-to-back home games at Pioneer Gymnasium. Tipoff for Thursday's matchup against San Francisco State is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.