ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — Led by a trio of double-digit performances from Naaman Hightower, Lewayne Grant and Isaac Davidson, Sonoma State defeated Cal State East Bay 72-68 in thrilling fashion Saturday night, capping a weekend sweep at home and improving their winning streak to four-straight.

The Seawolves jumped out the gate as they opened up a 10-point margin within the first ten minutes of the half. Hightower contributed eight points in those opening minutes with four straight layups.

Despite the double-digit deficit, the Pioneers rallied back with a 11-4 run to pull within one point, 21-22. However, Grant countered the run with a shot from beyond the arc before Hightower slammed one through the hoop, helping the Seawolves put some distance between themselves and their opponent before the end of the half.

Sonoma State returned from the locker room holding on to a 33-28 lead, but the East Bay took the court with renewed urgency as they whittled down the Seawolves' lead. Kyle Frakes netted a layup, before Davidson—who finished the game with 14 points—knocked down a three-pointer and pushed the home lead to six. After the play though, the Pioneers went on a 12-2 run over the next 4:57, scoring eight straight to open up their largest lead of the night: 42-38. 

The Seawolves countered the run with one of their own, as they scored 13-straight between the 12:56 and 9:02 marks of the second half. The hosts matched their highest margin of 10 as Hightower sunk two from the line, but a battle ensued through the remaining 7:33.

East Bay pulled within a single possession and trailed by as few as a single point with 0:44 remaining, but Grant—who finished with 15 points—and Jordan Fleck each drew a foul in the final eight seconds to secure a 4-point victory, 72-68.

"East Bay is a really tough team. They're scrappy," said Hightower after the game. "They come in and they try to punk you. So our mindset was just to be tough. Be the tough team that we are, and go out there, execute and complete plays."

With the defeat of East Bay, Sonoma State has won their last four games, and improves to 9-8 on the season. With the victory they also command a winning record in conference play for the first time this season at 7-6.

The Seawolves will return to action January 25 as they travel to Cal State San Marcos to take on the Cougars at 7:30pm PT.