ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay women's basketball team entered Saturday a game out of sixth place in the CCAA standings, chasing Sonoma State, whom the Pioneers faced. The showdown needed overtime to determine a winner in a tightly contested battle, but the Pioneers fell 67-65 on a buzzer beater by the Seawolves in overtime.
Grace Campbell and
Jaela Richardson each had a double-double on Saturday for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers were up by as many as five points in the first quarter, but Sonoma State finished the first 10 minutes with a 16-14 lead.
The game remained a close contest throughout the second quarter with both teams even at 15-15, as SSU led 31-29 at halftime.
Though still tightly contested in the third quarter, a jumper at the 1:04 mark of the third quarter by Campbell put the Pioneers ahead 43-42, which is where the game stood going into the final quarter of regulation.
By the 3:29 mark of the fourth quarter, Cal State East Bay built its lead to 51-44 on a layup by Richardson.
After Richardson's layup, Sonoma State went on a run of 11-1, capped off by a trio of free throws by Cielo Gonzalez for a three point Seawolves' lead, 55-52 with 22 seconds remaining in the game.
With just six seconds left in regulation, Campbell made a 3-pointer to tie the game at 55-55, as overtime was needed to determine a winner.
In the overtime session, neither team led by more then two points. As the Pioneers trailed 65-63 with 26 seconds remaining, Campbell made a layup to even the game.
Sonoma State had one more opportunity to score in overtime. With eighth seconds remaining, the Seawolves called a timeout. Then following the timeout, Jayme Blackard made a jumper from the right wing as time expired to give Sonoma State a 67-65 win.
- Campbell was the Pioneers' leading scorer with 23 points, going 9-for-17 from the floor and making two free throws. Three of her field goals were from beyond the arc. Campbell's 14 rebounds, combined with her scoring gave her a fourth double double on the season.
- For the fourth straight game, Richardson has reached a double double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
- Defensively, Richardson had three blocks and two steals.
- Gonzalez led Sonoma State in scoring with 21 points.
Cal State East Bay head coach
Jenny Thigpin following Saturday's overtime loss:
"It was a disappointing ending to what could have been a great weekend for us. We played good enough to pick up a win on the road but had trouble converting late on free throw opportunities."
Cal State East Bay: 11-11, 8-10 CCAA
Sonoma State: 13-11, 10-8 CCAA
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
The first of the final two home games for Cal State East Bay takes place Thursday evening from Pioneer Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. against Cal State LA. On January 21, the Pioneers fell 80-59 to the Golden Eagles.
