IRVINE, Calif. – In their first game after Thanksgiving, the Concordia Golden Eagles looked to gobble up rebounds, feast on three-pointers and knock off the undefeated Cal State East Bay Pioneers in a Saturday matinee.
For a good portion of the contest, it appeared like CUI would do just that and hand the visitors their first loss of the season.

CUI swiped 12 steals as a team but was out rebounded by 11 by the Pioneers. Marcellus Edwards hit a nifty off-balance layup while getting fouled to bring CUI within 33-32 shortly before intermission.

The Pioneers led by only one point at halftime and CUI rode the hot hand of Kaden Minter who knocked down a game-high five treys on the afternoon. His triple midway through the second half drew CUI within 46-43 to cap off a 11-1 run that got the Golden Eagles right on the doorstep of the upset.

However, Cal State East Bay fended off their late advances and shot 52 percent overall from the floor to pull away with a 68-58 victory down the stretch.

Minter scored 19 points and guard MaCarhy Morris added 16 thanks to a strong day at the charity stripe. Morris converted 11 of his 13 free throw attempts and canned his only three-point attempt on the night.

Jackson Tucker had his second strong outing of the week with seven points and a handful of hustle plays. Tucker was coming off a perfect 6-for-6 shooting night at Cal State Dominguez Hills where he dropped in a season-high 15 points.

Edwards and Radek Homer combined for 10 points and seven rebounds as well.

The Golden Eagles are back home this Wednesday, Dec 3 to open up conference play against Westmont. The Warriors will come to town for the PacWest opener in a game that is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. PT following the women's game as part of a doubleheader in CU Arena.

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