HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team secured a thrilling 67-65 victory over Cal Poly Pomona in a CCAA showdown on Thursday evening at Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward, California.
Prior to the game, a scoreboard dedication ceremony took place inside Pioneer Gymnasium to express appreciation for the donation by Pioneer Hall of Famer Rich Sherratt.
East Bay came out of the gates in control, jumping to a commanding 13-0 lead to start the game. The Pioneers' defense was impenetrable early on, holding Cal Poly Pomona scoreless until the 13:12 mark of the first half and without a field goal until 11:17 remained. Although the Broncos managed to cut the deficit to as little as six points, the Pioneers maintained their composure and entered halftime with a 35-25 advantage.
The second half saw a determined Cal Poly Pomona squad mount a comeback. Despite Beril Kabamba opening the scoring with a 3-pointer for East Bay, the Broncos steadily chipped away at the lead. The game's momentum shifted dramatically when Cal Poly Pomona took its first lead at 49-48 with 7:07 left in regulation.
As the tension mounted, both teams found themselves deadlocked at 54-54. It was then that Kabamba stepped up, sinking a pair of crucial free throws with 3:10 remaining to put the Pioneers back in front. East Bay's defense stood tall in the closing minutes, preserving their slim lead despite the Broncos' attempts to equalize.
The game's final moments were heart-stopping for Pioneer fans. Cal Poly Pomona's Miles Lewis drained a 3-pointer with just six seconds on the clock, bringing the Broncos within two points. However, East Bay's poise shone through by successfully inbounding the ball to run out the clock, securing the hard-fought 67-65 victory.
- Beril Kabamba led the charge for East Bay with a game-high 21 points, showcasing his efficiency by shooting 3-for-6 from the floor and an impressive 13-for-16 from the free-throw line.
- DJ Sanders contributed significantly with 11 points, providing crucial offensive support.
- Payden White dominated the glass, pulling down a team-high seven rebounds.
- Jordan Espinoza made his presence felt on the defensive end, recording a block and two steals.
- The Pioneers shot 40 percent from the floor with the Broncos shooting 42 percent.
- The Pioneers controlled the boards, outrebounding the Warriors 35-29.
Cal State East Bay head coach
Bryan Rooney expressed his appreciation for the game environment and the senior leadership in the game:
"It was a great night to be a Pioneer and celebrate Hall of Famer Rich Sherratt. The energy in the gym was incredible and a huge reason for the win. We received excellent senior leadership from [Teiano Hardee] and Beril - very proud of their investment."
Cal State East Bay: 7-10, 5-6 CCAA
Cal Poly Pomona: 10-7, 5-6 CCAA
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
Cal State East Bay will look to build on the momentum as they prepare to host Cal State San Bernardino in their next CCAA contest. The game is scheduled for this coming Saturday, January 25, with tipoff set for 3 p.m. at Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward, California.
