HAYWARD, Calif. — On Saturday evening at Pioneer Gymnasium, Cal State East Bay closed its 2025‑26 season on a celebratory note, defeating UC Merced 75-69 behind a standout Senior Night performance that featured timely scoring, strong rebounding and a decisive fourth quarter. Before tipoff, seniors Aloha Akaka, Taylor Eldredge, Meredith Gilbertson and Lucca Lowenberg were honored in their final game as Pioneers, and each played a role in delivering one last win despite postseason hopes having been dashed earlier in the day by other CCAA results.

UC Merced controlled the early rhythm in the first quarter, pushing ahead by as many as seven as East Bay worked to settle in offensively. The momentum began to shift late in the period. With 1:10 on the clock, Akaka buried a 3-pointer from the right side to tie the game at 15-15, capping the Pioneers' steady climb back. Moments later, Sierra Morris knocked down two free throws to give East Bay its first lead, and the Pioneers carried a 17-15 advantage into the second.

East Bay extended its lead to six midway through the second quarter, but the Bobcats capitalized late with a seven-point burst to close the half. A pair of UC Merced baskets in the final minute, capped by a putback just before the buzzer, sent the Pioneers into halftime trailing 31-29.

The third quarter featured constant swings as both teams traded baskets and defensive stops. Neither side led by more than a possession for most of the frame until the final minute, when Lowenberg stepped into a 3-pointer with 22 seconds remaining to push East Bay ahead 56-52. That shot provided the separation the Pioneers (12-16, 11-11 CCAA) would build on the rest of the night.

In the fourth, East Bay maintained control without fully shaking UC Merced. The Pioneers never led by more than nine but continually answered Bobcat pushes with timely interior scoring, second-chance points and defensive stops. Strong rebounding proved critical, and East Bay closed out its season by securing a 75-69 victory.

Akaka delivered a season‑high 24 points in her final game, shooting 11-for-17 from the field and hitting both of her attempts from beyond the arc. She added two steals and a block on the defensive end. Eldredge also shined in her last appearance, finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds and a team-high six assists. Krista Sheaffer scored 12 points, while Gilbertson collected a team-best 12 rebounds, bringing her regular-season total to 255 — third most in the CCAA.

East Bay held a 52-41 advantage on the boards and shot 39.7 percent from the floor while limiting UC Merced to 34.7 percent.

"We were able to get the win for our seniors tonight, and I couldn't be more proud of this group and the way they competed," head coach Jenny Thigpin said. "The season didn't end the way we would have wanted, but at the end of the day, our girls went out on a high note and earned a win to send our seniors off the right way. So proud of this team and the heart they showed all season."

The 2025-26 season was the fourth for the Pioneers under the direction of head coach Jenny Thigpin.