HAYWARD, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball team used a fourth quarter flurry to climb all the way back into the contest, but eventually fell to Cal State East Bay, 70-67, Saturday evening at the Pioneer Gym.
 
The Otters erased a 57-47 Pioneer lead, knotting up the score with 3:21 left in the final frame and keeping it within two until a final CSUEB made free throw with eight seconds left.
 
CSUMB shot 47 percent in the fourth to propel the comeback and finished 41 percent from the floor for the game. The Otters also forced 19 turnovers and scored 26 points off those miscues, helping them stay within one possession into the final moments.
 
A'ajah Slocum led Monterey Bay with 15 points while going 7-for-12 from the field and adding five rebounds and three assists. Riley Walls contributed 12 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, giving CSUMB a strong presence on the boards.
 
Leah Sarabia added 12 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Jennifer Moreno Ortiz scored nine points with five rebounds and five assists. Janelle Peña and Jayden McNeal each scored six points, and Ledjan Pahukoa chipped in three.
 
CSUMB out-rebounded CSUEB 38–37. Monterey Bay scored 21 fast-break points and collected 19 bench points, reflecting its depth and effort throughout the game.
 
The Otters return to the Kelp Bed next week to host UC Merced and Stanislaus State. The Bobcats will head to Seaside on Thursday, Jan. 29, and the Warriors close out the month on Saturday, Jan. 31.