SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Dominique Taplin poured in 23 points as the Dominican University of California men's basketball topped Cal State East Bay for the fourth consecutive time in a 71-62 victory on Saturday night.

Mathew Lipski opened the game with a fast-break layup and the first 15 minutes remained close. The Pioneers grabbed their biggest lead, 27-21, with 3:49 to go in the first half on Jacari Whitfield's free throw. Dominican stayed in the game by getting to the free throw line and four from Christopher Schwartz-Edmisten and Dominique Taplin kept the Penguins within two. Juawnn Springfield countered with a layup and Lipski made a layup at the other end to keep the deficit at two headed into the final minute of the half. Taplin fouled Springfield, who missed both of his free throws, which gave the Penguins the ball. Head Coach Booker T. Harris called timeout. Out of the huddle, Schwartz-Edmisten found Jonny Bates, whose three-pointer beat the buzzer to put the Conlan Center into a frenzy and give the Pegnuins a 32-31 halftime lead.

Dominican outscored CSUEB 15-5 to begin the second half and led by as much as 13. The lead dipped to four on Nick Grieves' three-pointer with five minutes to go but the Penguins only allowed two points on a pair of Patrick Marr free throws over the final five minutes.

The Penguins held the Pioneers to 34 percent shooting and outrebounded them 52-28.

"We definitely cut down on our turnovers compared to last night. Defensively we did well and we guarded the free throw line very well," said Harris, who earned his 50th career victory on Saturday. "The guys did a tremendous job on the glass rebounding the ball. "

Grieves led the Pioneers with 16 points and Patrick Marr added 15 points in the loss. Taplin pulled down eight rebounds, as did Matt Hayes. Schwartz-Edmisten added 10 points and Josh Armstrong added nine points as every Penguin who entered the game registered at least two points.

Taplin and Schwartz-Edmisten were both named to the five-player All-Tournament Team. Taplin averaged 18 points and 7.5 rebounds and Schwartz-Edmisten averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game.

"Taplin was able to get himself going early and play extended minutes this weekend," said Harris. "Chris came off the bench and caused a spark for us."

The Penguins hit the road for a non-conference game on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at Cal State Monterey Bay. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in Seaside, California.