[Box score]

PITTSBURGH - Cal State East Bay’s undefeated season came to an end in the NCAA Elite Eight as Oklahoma Baptist used a decisive first-half run to claim a 78–55 victory at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. (March 25)
 
The Pioneers (33-1) held an early 17-12 edge before Oklahoma Baptist (31-3) seized control with a 20-5 run midway through the half, turning a five-point deficit into a 10-point lead (32-22). The Bison would push their advantage to 48-28 at the half. OBU shot .500 percent in the opening period (18-of-36), and the 48 points were the most CSUEB allowed in a half all season.
 
Cal State East Bay found more rhythm in the second half, but it was not able to get closer than 17 points (59-42) as the Bisons' defense held the Pioneers to 1-of-16 from 3-point range.
 
Jaayden Bush led Cal State East Bay with 17 points, while Josh Ijeh added eight points and 12 rebounds. Oklahoma Baptist had three student-athletes score in double figures, led by Jackson Greene’s 23 points. Terry Coner Jr. added 17, Seth Grandberry scored 10. Center Erik Madrid controlled the interior with eight points, 14 rebounds, and six blocked shots.
 
The Bison outrebounded Cal State East Bay 58–45 and outscored it 42-28 on points in the paint. The Pioneers were held to just a .260 percent shooting from the field (22-of-77) after entering the game shooting .458 percent on the season.
 
The Pioneers' 33-game winning streak was the longest in NCAA men's basketball across all levels this year. It also matched the longest single-season winning streak in CCAA history (Cal State Bakersfield, 1992-93). Along the way, CSUEB captured the CCAA regular season championship, the CCAA Tournament Championship, and the NCAA West Regional Championship.
 
This was the fifth consecutive season a CCAA team has represented the West at the Elite Eight.
 
Oklahoma Baptist will advance to the national semifinals, where it will face the No. 3 seed Gannon on Friday, March 27.