SMALL COLLEGE SPORTS NOTEBOOK: Pioneers Report

  • February 22, 2012

By Matt Schwab

PIONEERS REPORT: The 911±¬ÁÏÍøState East Bay men's and women's basketball teams cling to playoff hopes in the final week of the California Collegiate Athletic Association regular season.

The Pioneers women's squad (11-15, 8-12 CCAA) threw a scare into the nation's No. 1-ranked team, UC San Diego, in a 75-57 loss last week.

"I wanted to have double-digit wins in the regular season and double-digit wins in the CCAA, and make the playoffs," said Pioneers women's coach Suzy Barcomb, whose team travels to 911±¬ÁÏÍøState Stanislaus and Chico State. "We're right there on all three goals. I think we've really enjoyed a great second half in the CCAA despite all the injuries and the illnesses.

"We're only playing with nine kids, so it's been a lot of challenges, but the team has really stepped up."

The Pioneer men (10-14, 8-12 CCAA), riding a three-game winning streak, will need a win over host Stanislaus (14-10, 10-10) on Thursday to remain in the playoff hunt. The Pioneers travel to Chico State on Friday. Mark Samuels (Berkeley), the CCAA player of the week (Feb. 13-19), and Roshun Wynne, an Oakland native who scored 20 in his home finale last week, lead the Pioneers.