Cal State East Bay Pioneers advance to NCAA DII Elite Eight

Undefeated Pioneers capture West Regional Championship, set to face Oklahoma Baptist in national quarterfinals

Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:31am

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The Cal State East Bay Pioneers men's basketball team extended their perfect season to 33-0 by winning the NCAA Division II West Regional Championship on Monday. The Pioneers overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Point Loma 73-58 and punch their ticket to the Elite Eight in Pittsburgh next week. East Bay will face the Oklahoma Baptist Bison, the No. 7 seed, in the national quarterfinals on March 25.

Why it matters

Cal State East Bay's historic run has captured the attention of the college basketball world, as they are the only undefeated team remaining in NCAA men's basketball. Their appearance in the Elite Eight is the program's first since 1986, marking a significant milestone for the school and the local community.

The details

The Pioneers fell behind early but rallied in the second half, fueled by a 10-2 run that gave them the lead for good. Tyree Campbell led the way with 20 points and was named the West Regional Most Outstanding Player, while Amare Campbell and Jalen Foy also had strong performances. East Bay's defense tightened down the stretch, forcing multiple turnovers and contested shots to pull away for the victory.

  • The West Regional Championship game was played on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • The Elite Eight matchup between Cal State East Bay and Oklahoma Baptist is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. PT.

The players

Tyree Campbell

A senior guard for the Cal State East Bay Pioneers, he was named the West Regional Most Outstanding Player after leading all players with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals in the championship game.

Amare Campbell

A junior forward for the Cal State East Bay Pioneers, he was named to the All-Tournament Team after contributing 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in the West Regional final.

Jalen Foy

A senior guard for the Cal State East Bay Pioneers, he added 11 points and 5 rebounds in the West Regional Championship victory.

Oklahoma Baptist Bison

The No. 7 seed in the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship, the Oklahoma Baptist Bison advanced to the Elite Eight after winning the Central Regional title.

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What’s next

The winner of the Cal State East Bay-Oklahoma Baptist matchup will advance to the Final Four on March 27, facing the winner of the Gannon-Michigan Tech game.

The takeaway

Cal State East Bay's historic run to the Elite Eight has captivated the college basketball world, as they are the only undefeated team remaining in the NCAA Division II tournament. Their success highlights the program's resurgence and the community's pride in their local team's achievements.