HAYWARD, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's basketball team shot a season-best 47 percent from the floor on Wednesday night, but it wasn't enough as the Sunbirds fell to Cal State East Bay 71-65 in non-conference action at Pioneer Gymnasium.
 
FPU falls to 0-3 on the season with the setback, while CSUEB improves to 2-1 overall.
 
"We really competed and had a combination of energy and communication that we can build off of," said head coach C.J. Haydock. "We had some positive momentum, and just failed to knock down open shots in the end. Stuff will fall for us, and if we can sustain some of the habits we established tonight we will see a breakthrough."
 
Kavika Jimenez led the Sunbirds with 15 points and five rebounds in the loss. The junior transfer has now scored in double-digits in all three games this season. Oliver Herting and Adriel McGee were effective in the post, as the two forwards scored 10 points apiece on a combined 8-for-10 shooting. T.J. Viney added nine points, while Rafail Eleftheriou totaled six points, four steals and two assists.
 
FPU struggled to open the game and trailed 9-2 in the opening minutes. Down 29-19, the Sunbirds used a 9-0 run to cut into the Pioneer lead before halftime. Jimenez started the run with a three, while McGee added four points with a tip-in and a pair of free throws. The Sunbirds entered the intermission trailing 31-29.
 
FPU carried the momentum into the second half and took the lead 39-38 with a layup from McGee at the 15:24 mark. The Pioneers answered with a 7-0 run, however, to jump back ahead for good. CSUEB would lead by as many as 14 in the second half before the Sunbirds cut the deficit to six points with 1:39 to go. FPU wouldn't come any closer as the Pioneers finished off the win with free throws.
 
In addition to the season high field-goal percentage (47%), the Sunbirds connected on 16-of-19 free-throw attempts, both of which marked a season best. FPU was limited to 16 percent from three (3-of-19), however, and committed 20 turnovers. The Pioneers added 19 points off turnovers.
 
Micah Dunhour led all scorers with 22 points for CSUEB, while Pierre Carter added 14 points and five rebounds. CSUEB finished with a team shooting percentage of 47 percent and made seven threes on the night.
 
FPU will face UC Riverside on Saturday, Nov. 19 for an exhibition at 4 p.m.