HAYWARD, Calif. - Cal State East Bay men's basketball opened its 2023-24 home schedule on Friday in the Pioneer Conference Challenge at Pioneer Gymnasium. The home opener for the Pioneers was not in their favor, as they lost 67-62 to Dominican University of California.
In the first half, the two teams would trade the lead back and forth for the entire half. Neither led by more than six points.
Tyree Campbell driving layup with 5:24 left in the half, to give CSUEB its largest lead of the half at 22-16. Ultimately, the Pioneers led 27-24 at halftime.
The Penguins started the second half on a 16-7 run, capped by a Dale Currie layup with 16:02 left, to take the lead at 40-34. The Pioneers answered with a 21-7 run, capped by a pair of
Chris James free throws with 6:20 left for their largest lead of the game at 55-47. DU responded with a 14-5 run, capped by a dunk by Nathan Ilunga with 1:08 left, to take a 61-60 lead. Although the Pioneers would cut the lead again to 63-62 on a jumper from
Dimitrios Klonaras with 31 seconds remaining, the Penguins capitalized on their free throw opportunities in the final minute to win 67-62.
- Klonaras had a team-high 16 points for the Pioneers, going 6-for-12 from the floor and 4-fot-5 from the free throw line. With his 11 rebounds he earned a double-double.
- Campbell had 13 points and Daeshawn Eaton had 12 in the loss for CSUEB.
- Defensively, Kevin Ebiriekwe had three blocks and with two steals each were Campbell, Eaton and Payden White.
- The Pioneers shot 40.4 percent from the floor, 16.7 percent from beyond the arc and went 14-for-18 from the free throw line.
- The rebound count was even for both teams at 37 each on Friday.
Cal State East Bay: 2-1
Dominican (Calif.): 1-3
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
The Pioneers will look to bounce back on Saturday evening with the finale of the Pioneer Conference Challenge against Saint Martin's. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from Pioneer Gymnasium.
