Box Score
COSTA MESA -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team made sure it held a sizeable lead against Vanguard University Saturday night, but the Golden Eagles did manage to have a few anxious moments.
The Golden Eagles saw a 20-point advantage dip to just six points before they scored the last 10 points of the game in a 73-57 win over Vanguard Saturday in The Pit. Cal State L.A. (2-4) snapped a three-game losing streak, while Vanguard slipped to 2-6.
The Golden Eagles also avenged a loss at home to the Lions last season.
Chris Fields scored a game-high 21 points to lead Cal State L.A., while Chris Mark had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The Golden Eagles' three-game losing streak included two overtime losses to Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona in games Cal State L.A. held eight-point leads in the second half and a blowout loss at Biola. On Saturday, the Golden Eagles took control early and secured its advantage throughout.
Cal State L.A. led by as many as 15 points in the first half and upped its lead to 20 points early in the second half. The Lions got to within six points, 63-57, with 1:25 to go, but the Golden Eagles scored the next 10 points to secure the win.
Cal State L.A. shot 42.4 percent and was an effective 19-of-24 from the free-throw line. Vanguard shot 35 percent and was 12-of-16 from the line. The Golden Eagles had a 45-30 rebounding edge.
The Golden Eagles trailed only once, at 2-0, and took the lead for good after a 3-pointer by Fields broke a 4-4 tie. Cal State L.A. opened up its first double-digit lead of the game, 17-6, after a basket by Dwayne Jones and opened up its biggest first-half lead at 25-10 after a basket by Mark.
Vanguard got the lead down to eight points late in the first half, but a 3-pointer by Jones and baskets by Mark and Trenod Smith helped extend the Cal State L.A. lead to 34-21 at halftime.
Cal State L.A. led by 20 points twice in the second half, once at 43-23 after a 3-pointer by Donte Bell and again at 45-25 after a basket by Mark with 16:40 remaining. Vanguard cut the deficit to nine points at 50-41 with 7:55 left before a basket by Fields and two free throws by Tyler Polo extended the lead back to 13 points.
The Lions closed to within nine points again at 54-45 with 5:20 left, but a 3-pointer by Fields put an end to that run. Baskets by Fields and Hart gave the Golden Eagles a 61-50 lead with 2:54 to go. Vanguard made its final push and got to within six points, 63-57, with 1:25 to go after a 3-pointer by Scott.
Cal State L.A., though. blanked the Lions the rest of the way. The Golden Eagles were a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line down the stretch. Hart hit four free throws and Mark and Fields knocked down two each and Bell converted on a layup to complete the scoring.
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Wednesday with a home game against Texas A&M International.
