ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Sonoma State women's basketball team lead for over 39 minutes of Thursday's contest before a pair of last second free-throws by Cal State East Bay gave the Pioneers the 67-66 win. 
 
The Seawolves started fast with Madisyn Clark notching back-to-back buckets and Jayme Blackard adding a layup to make it a 6-0 lead.  Blackard later added a 3-pointer to push the advantage to 9-2.  Eryn Gardner converted a layup to make it 14-6 but a late quarter run by CSUEB sent the game to the second at 17-12. 
 
Sonoma State held onto the lead for the entire second quarter, even getting the margin to double digits with a triple by Ixchel Rojo.  Jennifer Moreno made it a 26-18 at the 4:41 mark but that would be the last point of the half for the Seawolves.  The Pioneers closed with great defense down the stretch and scored the final five points to make it a 26-23 game at the break. 
 
Emerson Herrmann opened the third with back-to-back layups but East Bay quickly chipped the lead down to just one point at 32-31.  Trena Rathjen then scored the next six SSU points with a layup, free-throw and 3-pointer.  Once again the Pioneers kept it close, hitting four free-throws in the final minute of the third to make it a one point game.
 
Sienna Cherwinski gave the Seawolves some breathing room with an early fourth quarter 3-pointer.  Sonoma State continued to grow the lead with key buckets by Gardner and Laura Smith.  The advantage reach nine points at the halfway point of the quarter after two free-throws each by Smith and Blackard. 
 
From there the SSU offense went cold, going over four minutes without a point as the Pioneers began inching their way back into the game.  After a steal and a layup by East Bay made it a one point game in the final minute Blackard sank a pair of freebies to push it back to three.  The Pioneers pulled back within one on a layup with 36 ticks remaining and then got a big defensive stop to set up a final offensive possession.  Jaida Richardson caught the inbound pass and drew a foul with 3.6 remaining to set up a chance to win the game.  She calmly sank both and gave the Pioneers their first lead of the entire game.  Sonoma State's final possession did not result in a shot and CSUEB walked away with the win. 
 
Blackard led the team with 18 points on 5 of 9 shooting and went 7 of 8 from the free-throw line.  Clark added 7 points while Gardner had a team high four rebounds and three blocks. 
 
The Seawolves are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host San Francisco State at 1:00 pm.  Saturday will also be CYO Day with free tickets for all children under-12 and an autograph session immediately following the game.