SAN JOSE, Calif. – In the final tune up for the Cal State East Bay men's basketball team before the 2023-24 season begins, the Pioneers fell 77-61 in an exhibition game at San Jose State on Saturday.
 
Cal State East Bay jumped out to an 8-0 lead to start the game, with six of the eight points from Grady Lewis. The Pioneers did not trail in the first half until the 1:04 mark when the Spartans took a 28-27 lead in the midst of a 9-0 run to enf the first half. SJSU led 31-27 at halftime.
 
Tyree Campbell and Chris James scored the first two baskets of the second half for the Pioneers to tie the game at 31-31, but a 3-pointer by Myron Amey, Jr. gave the lead back to the Spartans which started a 25-4 run over a stretch of over seven minutes for a 56-35 lead with 10:32 left in the game.
 
The Pioneers would not cut the SJSU lead to any smaller than 12 points down the stretch, as the Spartans finished with a 77-61 win.
 
James led the Pioneers in three statistical categories, including points (12), rebounds (5) and assists (4).
 
The 2023-24 season for the Pioneers officially tips off on Friday, November 10 when they take on Fresno Pacific in the PLNU Conference Challenge. Start time is set for 5:30 p.m. from Golden Gymnasium in San Diego.