HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay women's basketball team secured a convincing 72-60 victory over Menlo in their 2024-25 home opener at Pioneer Gymnasium on Tuesday evening. The Pioneers showcased a dominant performance, particularly in the first half, to claim their first win of the season.
 

From the outset, Cal State East Bay demonstrated their resilience and offensive prowess. After falling behind 5-0 early, the Pioneers unleashed a blistering 19-0 run in the first quarter, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. The home team continued their strong play in the second quarter, matching their first-quarter output to build a commanding 38-21 halftime lead.

While Menlo showed signs of life in the second half, outscoring the Pioneers, Cal State East Bay's substantial first-half advantage proved insurmountable. The Pioneers maintained their composure and closed out the game with a 12-point margin of victory.

• Taylor Eldredge led all scorers with a game-high 21 points, shooting an efficient 7-for-14 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.
• Ariyah Smith contributed 15 points, providing a solid scoring punch for the Pioneers.
• Gwendilyn Aasland dominated the glass, pulling down a team-high 15 rebounds.
• Defensively, Eldredge, Lailah Carey, and Krista Sheaffer each recorded three steals, spearheading a disruptive effort that forced 18 Menlo turnovers.
• The Pioneers showcased their shooting ability, finishing with a 40.6 field goal percentage compared to Menlo's 38.5 percent.
• Cal State East Bay's rebounding advantage was particularly noteworthy with a 53-35 edge.

Cal State East Bay head coach Jenny Thigpin expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, stating:
"We had a very good start on the defensive side of the ball which helped our offense get going. It was nice to get a win on our home floor and we can look to build some momentum going forward."
 

Cal State East Bay: 1-3
Menlo: 2-3
 

Looking ahead, the Pioneers will aim to build on Tuesday's victory as they prepare to host Fresno Pacific on Saturday, November 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward, California.