East Bay now 14-12 overall, 10-10 in conference

After four losses in a row, the Cal State East Bay women’s basketball team managed to earn a win on homecoming weekend.

Their recent struggles lowered them in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Conference (CCAA) standings, they are now in sixth place with a record of 14-12 overall and 10-10 in conference. The Pioneers trail Chico State (13-9 overall, 11-7 conference) in the conference standings.

“We all have a winning mindset and are on the same page about what we want to accomplish,” junior guard Elayshia Woolridge said. “Unfortunately we have had some down turns in finishing games, but we have to remain positive. It’s the only way we can turn anything around.”

East Bay played two games on the weekend versus two Southern California opponents: Cal State Los Angeles (13-12, 12-7) and Cal State Dominguez (11-13, 9-10).

East Bay struggled from the field in the first game against Cal State LA, shooting just 36.7 percent as they made just 22 of their 60 shots. They were also out rebounded 41-33.

In the first quarter, the Golden Eagles maintained control as they opened up with a 6-0 run and led by as many as 11 ending the quarter with a 25-15 lead.

In the second quarter, Cal State LA continued to play well and took advantage of the Pioneers’ inconsistent shooting. The Golden Eagles led by 16 points with just under three minutes left on the clock. The Pioneers were able to cut the lead down to 9 by the end of the quarter, but they still got outplayed on both ends of the court.

Sophomore forward Morgan Greene was one of the reasons the game stayed close, as she had 10 points in the first half. The second highest scorer for East Bay was senior guard Bri Guillory with 5.

Thanks to the Pioneers defense, Cal State LA’s shooting percentage dropped from 51 percent in the first half to 38 percent in the second half. Their three point percentage also fell from 60 percent in the first half to 16 percent in the second.

Although East Bay’s shooting didn’t improve, they managed to get stops and capitalize on important opportunities.

“We just need to play hard, efficient and together for all four quarters,” Greene said. “Some quarters we aren’t executing well and it catches up to us, but I know we are capable of beating teams like we were in the beginning of the season.”

In the fourth quarter, Cal State LA regained their momentum and were able to secure the 72-64 win.

Greene led all scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Woolridge who added 15 points and 5 assists in 34 minutes on the floor.

On Saturday, East Bay snapped their losing streak as they defeated the CSU Dominguez Hills Toros 62-51.

The Pioneers opened the game strong, as the team went on a 6-0 run to open the first quarter, led by senior guard Janae Chamois, who hit two back to back three-pointers just 30 seconds apart.

The Toros responded and it was a back and forth game, but the Pioneers were able to close the quarter out ahead 18-16. It was the same story throughout the second quarter except this time the Toros took a two-point lead at halftime 28-26.

In the second half, it was evident the Pioneers were not going to lose their fifth game in a row.

The team led throughout the entire quarter and carried it into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, they led by as many as 11 and carried that margin throughout the rest of the game winning 62-51.

“It’s the end of the season now and our chemistry needs to be intact,” Greene said. “Granted we make it in the CCAA tournament, we can’t have any bad games. Everything has to be great, not just good.”

Woolridge shot 6-for-13 from the field with 17 points and 4 assists. Greene and Guillory also scored in double figures with 15 and 11 respectively.

The Pioneers will face Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday in their last home game. The final game of the regular season is Feb. 22 at Stanislaus State.