SAN BERNARDINO (December 29, 2017) — CSUSB led from beginning to end, but its 89-87 victory over Cal State East Bay was anything but a breeze.
 
Big Night from Elijah
Senior G Elijah Brown scored a season-high 21 points, thanks to 7 of 9 shooting, and a 3-for-3 effort from the 3-point line. He also had a team-high eight rebounds along with five assists.
 
Way to go Justin
Sophomore G Justin Frazier came off the bench and gave the Coyotes a big-time effort with 19 points (9 of 10 FTs). He also had three steals, sharing team-high honors with Jacardo Hawkins. Hawkins also reached double figures in points with 13, while T.A. Dixon had 11 and Ajon Efferson 10.
 
Story line
CSUSB built a 24-point lead (43-19) with 4 minutes in the first half, thanks to a 3-pointer from Brown. CSUSB shot 54.3 percent from the field, and went into the break leading 48-32.
 
The second half
CSUEB dug into the Coyotes' lead right away in the second half, thanks to a 16-5 run just four minutes into the half that put the score 53-48. CSUSB led 81-69 with 3:38 left when the Pioneers answered back with a 17-6 run and trailed 87-86 with nine seconds left. A pair of free throws from Frazier pushed the Coyotes' lead to three. On CSUEB's next possession, Drew Bender drew a foul from 30 feet and went to the line for three shots. His first effort was off, he hit his second and purposely missed the third.
 
Final play
Brown went to the line and missed both shot, giving the Pioneers the ball with three seconds left. Bender put up a desperation heave from midcourt. His shot bounced hard off the iron and the Coyotes had their win. Bender finished with a game-high 25 points.
 
The records
The Coyotes, now 5-6 overall and 3-4 CCAA, return to Coussoulis Arena on Saturday night against Cal State Monterey Bay. The Pioneers (6-7, 2-5) are at Cal Poly Pomona.