by Steve Connolly, Athletic Communications Director
ATHERTON, Calif. — Ignited by a huge second quarter rally, the Cal State East Bay women’s basketball team cruised to an 84-39 road win over Menlo College on Saturday evening.
The Pioneers (7-2, 2-0 CCAA) actually trailed after a tight first quarter, but they locked down on defense and allowed just eight total points over the next two periods. East Bay out-scored the Oaks 30-4 in the second quarter to take a commanding lead into halftime. They stretched their lead out further in the third in equally impressive fashion, finishing the frame with a 23-4 advantage.
Five players scored in double figures for the Pioneers, who shot 53 percent as a team from the field. Led by Shannon Bland (2-for-3 from three-point range) and Madison Craig (3-for-6), East Bay was red hot from long range, hitting at 44 percent as a team.
The Pioneers had 12 steals, forced 17 turnovers, and held a 34 to 15 rebounding edge. They limited Menlo to just 27.5 percent shooting from the field.
“We played very well defensively tonight,” said head coach Suzy Barcomb. “After a week away for finals, it took us a bit to start clicking offensively. As a team we shared the ball well tonight. Shannon and Madi shot lights out, but so much of that was due to how we ran our sets.”
Madison Craig (Navajo Nation) led the way with 15 points and went 5-for-9 from the floor. Fellow senior guard Laci Effenberger scored 14, going 4-for-11 from beyond the arc. Bland was efficient from the field, finishing 5-for-7, and she filled up the scoresheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high nine assists.
Reigning CCAA Player of the Week Tori Breshers notched 12 points in just 23 points, hitting 4-of-7 shots. Fellow seniorAshleigh Anderson just missed a double-double with 10 points and a team-high nine boards.
Remy Puou posted nine points and four rebounds in just 16 minutes, going 4-for-5 from the floor. Bianca Littleton added six points in 17 minutes off the bench.
“This was a solid team win and, now we will turn our focus back to the CCAA and our next opponent,” Barcomb added. “It’s a short turnaround for us, but we know we must be ready.”
The Pioneers have a pair of conference games at home this week, starting with a Tuesday evening showdown with Cal Poly Pomona on Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m.
