ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Cal State East Bay women's basketball team opened their 2024-25 season with a 83-69 loss to Northwest Nazarene in the CCAA-GNAC Crossover at Nicholson Arena on Friday morning.
 

The Pioneers kept the game close in the first half, trailing by just five points at halftime, 38-33. However, the Nighthawks pulled away in the second half, outscoring Cal State East Bay 45-36. Most notably, a 24-17 advantage in the fourth quarter really widened the score in favor of NNU to pull away and cruise to the win. 
 

• Lailah Carey led the Pioneers with 12 points, shooting 4-for-5 from the field and 3-for-7 from the free-throw line. Carey also dished out a team-high five assists.
• Taylor Eldredge contributed 10 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.
• Ariyah Smith added nine points and three assists while playing all 40 minutes.
• Aunika Hornung made her presence felt on defense with two blocks and two steals, while also grabbing a team-high seven rebounds.
• Gwendilyn Aasland came off the bench to score 11 points and grab four rebounds in just 11 minutes of on the court.
• From NNU, the game's leading scorer was Madeline Gebers, who finished with 22 points. 
• The Pioneers struggled with ball control, committing 36 turnovers which led to 46 points for Northwest Nazarene.
• Despite the loss, Cal State East Bay showed promise on offense, shooting 51.1 percent from the field compared to Northwest Nazarene's 45.9 percent.

Cal State East Bay head coach Jenny Thigpin following Friday's season opener:
"We had some good moments throughout the game but couldn't find a way to sustain a consistent level to give ourselves a chance to win the game. It's a long season and we have to forget this game and get ready as we have a chance to get better next game."
 

Cal State East Bay: 0-1
Northwest Nazarene: 1-0
 

The Pioneers will look to bounce back quickly as they face host team Central Washington on Saturday, November 9, in the second day of the CCAA-GNAC Crossover. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Nicholson Arena in Ellensburg, Washington.