BOX SCORE HAYWARD, Calif- The Sonoma State men's basketball team torched the nets at a shooting percentage of 55.1 percent and four players scored in double-figures, but host Cal State East Bay would take the lead midway through the second half and then held off a late push by the Seawolves, as CSUEB defeated SSU, 89-85, on Friday night at Pioneer Gym in Hayward. With the loss, the Seawolves fall to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the CCAA opener for both teams. The Pioneers improve to 3-2 (1-0 CCAA).
Steven Pratt had another big all-around game, netting team-highs of 16 points and nine rebounds on 5 of 6 shooting and 5 of 9 from the free throw line.
Patrick Scott scored 15 points,
Brian Crow added 14 and
Sterling Arterberry chipped in 13 with eight boards. The Seawolves hit 27 of 49 shots, including 8 of 20 from three-point range.
After both teams traded several baskets to start the game, Sonoma State began to heat up and would eventually lead by as much as 11 points on a pair of occasions towards the end of the opening half. However, Cal State East Bay wouldn't go away and cut the SSU lead to seven points at 45-38 at halftime.
The Seawolves would remain in command through the start of the second period, even taking their largest lead of the game (13 points at 60-47) with 14:33 left in regulation. But, two minutes later and trailing by 11 points, the Pioneers went on a 11-0 run to knot the game at 62-62 with just over 10 minutes left, then took the lead and extended it to as much as nine points at 78-69 with 5:37 left.
Sonoma State wouldn't go away, though, and cut the Cal State East Bay lead to just two (81-79) on a three-pointer by
Will Olsem. The two teams would trade points down the stretch, but the Pioneers held the Seawolves at bay and stole the narrow 89-85 win.
Cal State East Bay had five players score in double-figures, led by the 24 points of both Roshun Wynne and Mark Samuels. Like the Seawolves, the Pioneers shot above 50 percent from the floor, but hit on 52.5 percent (31-59). It was the hosts that won the turnover battle, forcing 15 SSU turnovers (ten via the steal) and outscoring the Seawolves 18-10 on turnovers -- CSUEB turned the ball over just eight times.
Sonoma State will head down to Seaside to take on the Otters of Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday. Tipoff from the Otter Sports Center is set for 7:30 p.m.
