Box Score
LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team was unable to shake its recent stretch of frustrations.
The Golden Eagles lost for the third time in four games with a disappointing 64-60 California Collegiate Athletic Association defeat to Sonoma State Friday in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (11-7, 7-6 CCAA) led early by nine points, fell behind by as many as 10 points in the second half and saw a late rally come up short.
The Golden Eagles shot 38 percent from the floor, while Sonoma State was 40.4 percent. The difference came from behind the 3-point arc, where the Seawolves knocked down 9-fo-24, while the Golden Eagles were 2-of-13. Cal State L.A., which entered the week No. 1 in the conference in rebounding, held only a 37-33 edge in that department and had 16 turnovers to 15 for the Seawolves.
Cal State L.A. was effective at the free-throw line, making 20-of-26 attempts, while Sonoma State was 13-of-18.
Carl Hoffman had 16 points and eight rebounds to lead the Golden Eagles, while
Chris Fields had 13 points and eight rebounds and
Leland Jones had 13 points and five rebounds.
Dwayne Jones was the fourth Cal State L.A. player in double figures with 12 points.
Patrick Scott had 18 points to lead four Seawolves in double figures. Will Olsem, Steven Pratt and Chad Chambers had 11 points each.
The Golden Eagles got off to a quick start and opened up a 15-6 lead just five minutes into the game. The lead was still eight points, 25-17, after a pair of free throws by
Duwayne King with 5:49 left in the half before Sonoma State closed the period with a 13-2 run to take a 30-27 halftime lead.
Sonoma State then opened the second half with a 3-pointer by Pratt to take a six-point edge and led the rest of the way. Fields hit a 3-pointer to slice the deficit to 36-33, but Sonoma State opened up a 10-point lead for the first time at 43-33 after a 3-pointer by Olsem with 17:15 to play.
The Seawolves still led by 10 points, 58-48, after a 3-pointer by Chambers with 6:17 remaining before the Golden Eagles started their unsuccessful rally. The Golden Eagles pulled to within 60-56 with 1:43 to go after a pair of free throws by Fields, only to see Chambers hit a basket with the shot clock winding down to make it 62-56. Hoffman scored on an inside move and a steal by King led to a basket by
Dwayne Jones to get the Golden Eagles to within 62-60 with 24 seconds left.
Cal State L.A. was forced to foul and Pratt made two free throws left with 18 seconds left. The Golden Eagles misfired on their final three shots to end the game.
Cal State L.A. will try to snap its losing skid in a home game against Humboldt State on Saturday night.
