SAN FRANCISCO — Cal State East Bay opened CCAA play Thursday night at SFFCU Gymnasium with a commanding 60–46 win over San Francisco State, fueled by a relentless defensive start and a season-high performance from guard Tyree Campbell. The Pioneers (6–0, 1–0) never trailed, storming out to an 8–0 lead in the first three minutes and stretching the margin to 25 late in the second half on Campbell's coast-to-coast finish. 

The opening sequence set the tone. After SF State missed its first shot, Campbell knocked down a jumper off Jaayden Bush's assist for the game's first points. Moments later, Bush jumped a passing lane for a steal and converted a fast-break layup, then added a floating jumper after another turnover to make it 6–0. Huff's offensive rebound and putback pushed the score to 8–0, forcing an early timeout and signaling the defensive pressure that would define the night. That pressure produced two steals in the first two minutes and disrupted the Gators before they could settle in.

Campbell then began to stretch the floor. His first 3-pointer from beyond the arc came in transition off a crisp feed from Foy. And moments later, Ramsey Huff added a turnaround jumper to keep a double digit lead at 13–3. When Campbell drilled another triple with 5:03 left in the half, the margin ballooned to 25–10.

Even after a late Gator 3-pointer to as part of a small run late in the half, the Pioneers carried a 33–21 lead into halftime, having turned 12 first-half turnovers into 16 points.

The second half followed a similar script. After SF State scored early in the half, Campbell drew a foul and hit two free throws to make it 35–23, then Huff scored two more free throws.

The lead continued to stretch for the Pioneers, as Terence Haywood's hook shot at 14:44 pushed the lead to 44–25. While SF State answered with a 3-pointer from Bricen Buciak, Campbell buried his fourth 3-pointer to make it 47–28. Each surge was triggered by defensive pressure, whether a steal, a forced offensive foul, or a blocked shot. The Pioneers' largest cushion came at 60–35 with 3:33 remaining after Campbell scored a fastbreak layup. SF State managed an 11–0 run to close out the game, but by then the outcome was sealed.

• Campbell led all scorers with 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.
• Huff added 12 points and five rebounds, while Haywood chipped in 11 points and five boards.
• Josh Ijeh was the top rebounder with seven.
• East Bay's defense was the story, forcing 22 turnovers and converting them into 28 points while dominating the steals column 15–4. 
• The Pioneers also controlled transition with 16 fast-break points.
• East Bay shot 41.1 percent from the field and 25 percent from beyond the arc, while San Francisco State finished at 37 percent overall and 22.2 percent from deep.
• The Gators held a slim 35–34 edge on the glass.
• Thursday's game was the first time since the 2021-22 season where the Pioneers held an opponent to under 50 points. 

Cal State East Bay head coach Bryan Rooney said, "Excellent defensive effort by our guys to start conference. I loved the mindset our team had all week in practice. We will need similar preparation tomorrow in practice to be ready to go Saturday."

Next up, the Pioneers return home to Pioneer Gymnasium for a rematch with the Gators this coming Saturday, Dec. 6. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Hayward.