HAYWARD, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino men's basketball team suffered a 78-64 defeat at the hands of Cal State East Bay Friday evening in a CCAA contest at Pioneer Gymnasium.

With the defeat, the Coyotes fall to 5-7 on the season and 2-3 in CCAA play.  

CSUSB jumped out to a 10–5 lead to open the game, led by eight early points from redshirt senior Gavin Davis (Carson, Calif.). Cal State East Bay responded with an 8–0 run to claim its first lead, but the Coyotes quickly answered with an 11–2 surge to regain momentum. That run was sparked by a layup from redshirt junior Malachi Murrell (La Quinta, Calif.) and highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers from freshman Zion Paleo (Diamond Bar, Calif.). 

The Pioneers regained the lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half and maintained control for most of the period, taking a narrow 39–38 advantage into halftime. 

CSUSB stayed close early in the second half, with sophomore Aidan Fowler (San Clemente, Calif.) scoring the Coyotes' first six points after the break. East Bay later built a 56–46 lead, but CSUSB chipped away and used an 11–1 run—largely from the free-throw line—to knot the score at 57–57. 

Cal State East Bay then seized control, closing the game on a decisive 21–7 run over the final seven-and-a-half minutes to secure the win. 

Fowler led CSUSB with 19 points, while Davis and Paleo each added 14 to lead the way for CSUSB. 

Up next, CSUSB travels to San Francisco State for a game on Sunday. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. 

#GoYotes 

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