Box Score: Coyotes 78, CSU East Bay 60

SAN BERNARDINO -- The second half told Thursday's tale in Cal State San Bernardino's 78-60 victory over visiting Cal State East Bay in CCAA men's basketball.

The Coyotes shot a blistering 64 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes and at one point outscored the Pioneers 30-10 as CSUSB won its season-best fourth straight contest and improved to 16-9 overall and locked up third place in the CCAA at 14-7.

Sophomore Kwame Alexander was key for the Coyotes as the Moreno Valley native was a perfect 7 of 7 from the field with 15 points. Senior guard Aaron Hill led his squad with 16  -- including four 3-pointers in the game's opening eight minutes. Robbie Robinson kicked in 14 points with six rebounds.

CSUSB finished the night with its best shooting of the season, hitting 55.1 percent on 27-of-49 shooting. And defensively, the Coyotes stopped the Pioneers cold in the final half, allowing just 7 of 27 shooting after CSUEB opened the first half at 53.6 percent.

The Pioneers (4-21, 2-19) did not play like a last place team as they raced to a 7-0 lead after the opening tip. They closed the half on a 10-0 run and led 39-35 on Adam Watts' two free throws with 19 seconds remaining until senior Corey Caston hit a free throw to give the Coyotes a three-point deficit at the break.

The Coyotes took control right after the break, hitting 12 of their first 17 shots and held the Pioneers to just three field goals through nearly 14 minutes of play. Eight different Coyotes scored in that pivotal stretch as they would lead as large as 23 with 2:27 remaining in the game.

Junior Nate Roth and Caston each scored nine points with five assists each. Caston added three steals in 30 minutes of play.

Roshun Wynne and Mark Samuels each scored 12 for CSUEB, which finished the night 22 of 55 from the field -- 40 percent.

CSUSB will close the regular season Friday night at home against UC San Diego. The Coyotes will honor their six seniors -- Hill, Caston, David Jefferson, Ryan Kinney, Grants Huff and Robinson.