HAYWARD, Calif. - In a hard-fought CCAA contest, the Cal State East Bay men's basketball team (10-14, 8-10 CCAA) narrowly fell to the visiting Chico State Wildcats (19-5, 15-3 CCAA) 75-72 on Saturday evening at Pioneer Gymnasium.
 

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, with neither team able to establish a commanding lead throughout the first half. The score was knotted at 39-39 late in the opening period before Chico State's Trae Taylor tipped in a basket at the buzzer, giving the Wildcats a slim 41-39 advantage heading into the break.

Chico State managed to gain more control in the second half, at one point extending their lead to 10 points. However, the resilient Pioneers battled back, tying the game at 69-69 with 2:47 remaining on a clutch tip-in by Teiano Hardee.

The Wildcats' JoJo Murphy responded with a go-ahead basket on the ensuing possession. Despite the Pioneers' defensive efforts forcing turnovers in the closing minutes, a combination of missed shots and turnovers proved costly for East Bay. A missed three-pointer in the final seconds, followed by a pair of free throws from Chico State's Caden Harris, sealed the 75-72 victory for the visitors.

• Beril Kabamba led all East Bay scorers with 19 points, shooting 6-for-18 from the floor, including a 4-for-8 performance from beyond the arc. Kabamba also paced the team with nine rebounds and contributed four steals and a block on the defensive end.
• Ramsey Huff and DJ Sanders each added 14 points to the Pioneer cause.
• The Pioneers showed tenacity on the boards, narrowly outrebounding Chico State 38-37.
• Chico State had a 47.6 percent % field goal percentage, compared to East Bay's 42.9%, proved to be a decisive factor in the outcome.

Cal State East Bay: 10-14, 8-10 CCAA
Chico State: 19-5, 15-3 CCAA
 

Cal State East Bay will look to regroup as they prepare for their next CCAA matchup. The Pioneers will hit the road to face Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday, February 20, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Coussoulis Arena in San Bernardino, California. The Pioneers will be seeking redemption after falling to the Coyotes 84-72 in their previous encounter on January 25 in Hayward.