HAYWARD, Calif. - On Senior Night at Pioneer Gymnasium, Cal State East Bay pushed No. 19 Cal State Dominguez Hills to the limit before falling 84-75 in the season finale Saturday evening.
The Pioneers honored seniors Teiano Hardee and Beril Kabamba before tipoff.
In a first half that featured multiple lead changes, East Bay matched the Toros throughout. With 17 seconds remaining before halftime, Blessing Nwotite's layup put the Pioneers ahead 35-33, energizing the home crowd. However, CSUDH's Jeremy Dent-Smith answered with a 3-pointer in the closing seconds, giving the Toros a slim 36-35 advantage at the break.
The back-and-forth battle continued deep into the second half, highlighted by Hardee's clutch four-point play with 8:34 remaining. The senior guard was fouled while draining a three-pointer and converted the free throw to tie the game at 61-61.
The momentum shifted moments later when Jordan Hilstock's three-pointer sparked a decisive run for the Toros, who built their lead to as many as 12 points en route to securing the regular season conference crown.
- DJ Sanders led the Pioneers' offensive effort with a season-high 20 points on efficient 7-for-11 shooting from the field, while adding four assists.
- Ramsey Huff contributed 16 points, and Hardee finished his final home game with 14 points.
- Kabamba grabbed a team-best seven rebounds in his Pioneer Gymnasium farewell.
- The East Bay defense remained active throughout, as Sanders, Hardee, Kabamba and Nwotite each recorded two steals.
- While the Pioneers shot a solid 44.1 percent from the field, outpacing CSUDH's 41.7 percent, the Toros held a significant 46-32 advantage on the boards.
Cal State East Bay: 11-17, 9-13 CCAA
No. 19 Cal State Dominguez Hills: 23-5, 20-2 CCAA
The loss concludes East Bay's season at 11-17 overall. Cal State East Bay head coach Bryan Rooney reached two significant milestones this season, securing both his 300th career victory and his 100th win leading the Pioneer program.
