Box Score POMONA, Calif. - In a closely contested CCAA matchup, the Cal State East Bay men's basketball team fell to Cal Poly Pomona, 69-62 on Saturday afternoon at Kellogg Arena. Despite a strong start and standout performances from key players, the Pioneers couldn't overcome a late first-half surge by the Broncos.
 

The first half saw both teams trading blows in a tightly contested battle. Cal State East Bay showed early promise, with a dunk from Teiano Hardee at the 7:28 mark, giving the Pioneers a 22-19 lead. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in favor of the home team as Cal Poly Pomona closed out the half on a 17-7 run, taking a 36-29 lead into the break.

The Pioneers fought hard to regain control in the second half, coming within striking distance when Hardee drained a clutch 3-pointer at the 15:18 mark, narrowing the gap to 43-40. But the Broncos responded emphatically, reeling off eight unanswered points to extend their lead. From that point on, Cal Poly Pomona maintained a two-possession cushion, effectively keeping the Pioneers at bay for the remainder of the contest.

• Hardee led the charge for the Pioneers, with a team-high 19 points. Hardee's efficient shooting was on full display as he went 7-for-13 from the field, including a sharp 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. His perfect 2-for-2 showing from the free-throw line and two steals further highlighted his all-around contribution.
• DJ Sanders achieved a significant milestone, notching his first career double-double with an impressive 18 points and 10 rebounds.
• Cal State East Bay shot 40 percent from the field, while Cal Poly Pomona connected on 46.2 percent of their attempts.
• The Broncos held a slight edge on the boards, outrebounding the Pioneers 31-28.

Cal State East Bay: 11-15, 9-11 CCAA
Cal Poly Pomona: 16-11, 11-9 CCAA

Despite the loss, the Pioneers are tied for the sixth place with Cal State LA in the CCAA standings, which represents the final spot to qualify for the CCAA Tournament. Next Thursday's showdown with CSULA will go a long way in deciding who will take the final postseason spot in the CCAA Tournament. 
 

The Pioneers will look to bounce back in their next CCAA matchup against Cal State LA, which for all intents and purposes, will be a battle to help decide who becomes the No. 6 seed in the 2025 CCAA Tournament. The showdown is set for Thursday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m. from Pioneer Gymnasium. On January 18, East Bay lost to the Golden Eagles, 87-81 in Los Angeles.