File photo/Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics – Wayne Hampton

A first trip to the NCAA playoffs in 10 years didn’t last as long as the Jacks were hoping for.

On Friday night, the Cal Poly Humboldt men’s basketball team opened the West Region tournament against the No. 2 team in the nation, Cal State East Bay, in Hayward, and fell at the first hurdle.

The Jacks lost 83-64.

The loss ended the season for the Jacks, who closed out 17-15.

The victory for East Bay keeps the Pioneers undefeated on the season as they improved to 31-0.

Friday’s game was close early on and the Pioneers led by just three points at halftime.

But much as they did in last weekend’s CCAA championship game against Humboldt, the East Bay men began to pull away after the break and never really appeared in danger of seeing their incredible winning streak come to an end.

This was the Pioneers’ fourth win in four matchups this season against the Jacks.

Despite the disappointment of the loss, the Jacks enjoyed a good season under first-year head coach DJ Broome.

The CPH men finished third in the CCAA after being eighth in the conference preseason poll, made it to the CCAA Tournament championship game and returned to the NCAA postseason tournament for the first time since 2016.

East Bay will now play in the West Region semifinals against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday.