POMONA, Calif. - The Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball team tried to battle  through some tough bounces on offense Saturday but ultimately fell to Cal State East Bay, 65-56.
 
The result snapped the Broncos' four-game win streak and dropped the team to 13-5 overall and 11-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Holding third place in the conference standings, CPP will return to action on the road next weekend at Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State.
 
Jada Blackwell put together a strong performance Saturday, collecting 26 points and 11 rebounds. She knocked down 14 free throws in her 18 attempts at the line. Ariel Marsh joined her in double figures, adding 14 points.
 
The Broncos' defense limited the Pioneers to 39.6-percent shooting but the CPP offense could only muster  a 34.1-percent showing.
 
East Bay jumped out to a 4-0 edge and never trailed the rest of the game. Marsh and Mary Williams knocked down back-to-back baskets to cut the margin to 5-4, but the Pioneers elevated their game once again and eventually took a 34-25 lead into halftime.
 
Four-consecutive free throws by Blackwell helped CPP trim the margin back to six points early in the second half but CSUEB once again brought it back to double digits a few minutes later,
 
A Lauren Goecke layup in the final minute dropped the Pioneers' advantage to 61-56 but the visitors knocked down four free throws in the waning moments to secure the victory.
 
Off the bench, Williams contributed seven rebounds for CPP. East Bay was bolstered by an 18-point effort from Stephanie Lopez.