Women's Basketball to Host NCAA West Region Tournament

The Cal State East Bay women’s basketball team, winner of the 2022 CCAA Tournament championship, will host the NCAA Division II West Region Tournament at Pioneer Gym beginning this Friday, March 11.

It is the first time in program history the Pioneers are hosting an NCAA regional basketball championship.

CSUEB (22-2) is the No. 1-seed in the west region, and will face No. 8 seed Academy of Art in a quarterfinal matchup on Friday starting at 5 p.m.

It will be one of four NCAA regional quarterfinal contests played on the Hayward campus on March 11. No. 3-seed Western Washington takes on No. 6 Alaska Anchorage to begin the day at noon before No. 2-seed Central Washington faces No. 7 Northwest Nazarene at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Following the Pioneers’ contest at 5 p.m., CCAA rival and No. 4-seeded Cal State San Marcos will play No. 5 Azusa Pacific at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The NCAA West Region Semifinals will be held on Saturday, March 12, with the first of two contests scheduled for 5 p.m. The regional final is set for Monday, March 14 at 7 p.m.  

Fans and spectators are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance, or can also purchase at the door using a credit or debit card. General admission is $15, and $10 for students with a valid school ID.  

CSUEB is coming off its third California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament title in program history on March 5, defeating Cal State San Marcos in the championship game, 80-66.

It was the second CCAA Tournament championship for sixth-year head coach Shanele Stires, who also led the Pioneers to the title in 2017.

Sophomore guard Zhane Duckett (Oakland/St. Joe’s HS) finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists en route to being named CCAA Tournament MVP.

Junior guard Delia Moore was awarded with the CCAA Elite 13 award for academic excellence prior to Friday’s semifinal win over Cal State LA, and was also named the CCAA All-Tournament Team.