Basketball teams lose in Southern California

Women’s Basketball
The losing streak extended to five games for the Cal State East Bay women’s basketball team after they fell to Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday 54-52.
The Pioneers are now 9-7 overall and 4-6 in California Collegiate Athletic Association conference competition. The Coyotes have won four games in a row and improved to 11-3 overall and 7-3 in CCAA conference play.

CSUEB shot 46 percent from the field and held CSUSB to a dismal 32 percent shooting percentage in the first half. The Pioneers took a 28-24 advantage into the half led by senior guard Micah Walker who scored 10 points in the first period.

“Micah played very well for us offensively tonight,” CSUEB Head Coach Suzy Barcomb said. “It was good for us to have her as a major contributor in the scoring column.”

The poor shooting continued for the Coyotes in the second half but their defense kept the score close throughout the game. CSUSB forced nine Pioneer turnovers and stole the ball six times in the second half but trailed the entire time until junior guard Chelsea Barnes made two free throws with 30 seconds left.

The Coyotes put the game away and made their free throws down the stretch for a late come from behind victory.
“This was a huge win,’’ CSUSB Head Coach Renee Jimenez said.  “We are really figuring out that no matter what’s happening offensively, our defense will always give us a chance.’’

Next up for the Pioneers is a home game at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at Pioneer Gymnasium against Chico State (6-8 overall, 3-7 conference).

Men’s Basketball
The CSUSB Coyotes defended their home court and defeated the Pioneers on Saturday 81-63.

CSUEB fell to 4-12 overall and 2-8 in conference play while the Coyotes improved to 6-7 overall and 6-4 in conference games. The Pioneers managed to keep it close and found themselves down by eight points at halftime 38-30.

“[CSUSB] got the right shots for the right players and pushed the ball hard in transition,” Pioneer’s Head Coach Gus Argenal said. “The number of missed free throws and turnovers we had didn’t give us a great opportunity to get it done.”

The Pioneers missed 14 free throws and shot under 40 percent from the field and behind the three-point line. The Coyotes took advantage of their free throws and nailed 34 of 45 from the charity stripe.

“Our free throw shooting was a huge reason for the win tonight,” CSUSB Head Coach Jeff Oliver said.

CSUEB Junior guard and Fremont native Juawnn Springfield led the way for the Pioneers. He amassed a team-high 18 points in 27 minutes. Pioneers senior guard Jacari Whitfield also came up big on the offensive end and accumulated 12 points and five assists.

The next game for the Pioneers is tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward against Chico State (10-5 overall, 7-3 conference).