LAKELAND, Fla. – The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team completed a perfect opening weekend Sunday afternoon, overcoming a 12-point second-half deficit to defeat Central Missouri 64-62 at Jenkins Field House. The Pioneers used a strong defensive effort and two late free throws from Jaayden Bush to secure their second consecutive victory and improve to 2-0 to begin the 2026-27 season.
The opening half featured a competitive battle between the two teams, with several lead changes as neither side was able to establish a significant advantage early. East Bay received contributions from Aaron Reddish, who connected from beyond the arc, while Takai Emerson-Hardy provided a spark off the bench with a pair of baskets.
Central Missouri gained momentum late in the opening period, outscoring East Bay 10-4 over the final 4:17 to take a 37-31 advantage into halftime.
The Mules extended their lead early in the second half, eventually building a 12-point advantage at 51-39 with 9:50 remaining. However, East Bay responded with a 12-0 run, highlighted by three-pointers from Reddish and NaVaughn Long, along with baskets from Bush and Emerson-Hardy, to tie the game at 51-51 with 6:41 remaining.
Central Missouri briefly regained control, but the Pioneers continued to battle. Bush scored on consecutive possessions before Reddish connected on a three-pointer with 3:47 remaining to give East Bay a 60-58 lead.
The two teams traded baskets down the stretch, with Long putting East Bay ahead 62-60 on a layup with 2:33 remaining. Central Missouri answered to tie the game at 62-62 with two minutes left, setting up another dramatic finish.
With 14 seconds remaining, Long came away with a steal to give East Bay possession. Bush was fouled with three seconds left and converted both free throws to put the Pioneers ahead 64-62. Central Missouri's final three-point attempt was unsuccessful, securing East Bay's second victory in as many days.
Bush led the Pioneers with 19 points, shooting 7-for-15 from the field while adding eight steals, three assists and two rebounds. Reddish followed with 17 points, connecting on three three-pointers, while Emerson-Hardy contributed 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks off the bench.
Long added seven points, two assists and two steals, while Jordan Espinoza finished with five points, three assists and three steals. Terence Haywood contributed four points and five rebounds.
As a team, East Bay shot 44.6 percent from the field and recorded 16 steals while forcing 20 Central Missouri turnovers. The Pioneers converted those opportunities into 29 points off turnovers and held the Mules to just 25 second-half points after allowing 37 in the opening period.
The victory capped a successful opening weekend for East Bay, as the Pioneers earned back-to-back two-point wins to begin the season. East Bay will look to carry that momentum forward as it continues its early-season schedule.
