CSUEB hoops break even in tourneys

Men’s Basketball

The CSUEB men’s basketball team went 1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Pacific West Challenge this past weekend in San Rafael.

The Pioneers defeated Montana State University Billings 86-80 on Friday before losing to the host team Dominican University 71-62 on Saturday. CSUEB is now 1-1 overall with their next game on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Atherton against Menlo College.

The Pioneers controlled the first game against the Yellow Jackets led by senior Nick Grieves with a team-high 19 points in 33 minutes on the floor. Junior and Fremont native Juawnn Springfield played a team-high 38 minutes for CSUEB collecting 15 points, five assists, and four rebounds.

“Tonight was a really good start to the season for our team and program,” CSUEB head coach Gus Argenal said.

The hosting Penguins managed to stifle the Pioneers on Saturday in the first loss of the season for CSUEB. Grieves was again the leading scorer for the Pioneers with 16 points in 26 minutes on the floor for CSUEB, also being named to the All-Tournament team in the process.

Dominican dominated the paint the entire contest collecting 50 rebounds to the Pioneers 25.

CSUEB managed just 12 points in the paint against a stifling Penguins defense.

“When you have a rebounding margin like we did tonight, it’s almost impossible to win,” Argenal said. “They out-played us on both ends of the floor.”

Freshman from De La Salle High School Patrick Marr helped keep the game close chipping in 15 points in 29 minutes on the floor. Junior Jack Pasquini had a solid game in the losing effort totaling eight rebounds and five points for the Pioneers.

The next home game for the Pioneers is at 7 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 29 at Pioneer Gymnasium against Bristol University.

Women’s Basketball

The Cal State East Bay women’s basketball team went 1-1 in the Hampton Inn & Suites D2 Shootout at Western Oregon University over the weekend. The Pioneers, now 1-1 overall this season, lost to Saint Martin’s University 71-57 on Friday in their first game of the event.

CSUEB bounced back on Saturday defeating the host team 66-61 led by senior guard Stephanie Lopez and her game-high 29 points. Lopez was an impressive 10 for 16 from the field shooting the ball and put a grip on the Wolves defensively nabbing five steals in 34 minutes.

“Steph and Remy carried us tonight, especially when we needed it most,” CSUEB head coach Suzy Barcomb said. “It was a good bounce back win for us, led by their solid performances.”

Moreau Catholic alum and Hayward native Remy Puou was solid in the win for the Pioneers, amassing 17 points in just 19 minutes on the floor for the sophomore. Junior guard Shannon Bland led the team in minutes with 38 and nailed some clutch free throws down the stretch.

“Shannon logged big time minutes and nailed two crucial free throws late that helped to seal the win,” Barcomb said. “Both Shannon and Bianca Littleton worked hard for rebounds throughout the night.”

Bland added seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals while junior Bianca Littleton added in eight rebounds, five points, and two blocks in the win for the Pioneers.

CSUEB will play their first home game tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Pioneer Gymnasium against the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons (0-2 overall).