Box Score

LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team was unable to knock off one of the California Collegiate Athletic Association's top dogs Friday.

 

The Golden Eagles couldn't overcome a frigid first half and lost to Cal Poly Pomona, 68-54, Friday in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (13-11, 9-10 CCAA) shot just 26 percent in the first period and never led in the contest.

 

Cal Poly Pomona (17-5, 15-4 CCAA) won its 10^th straight game. The Broncos haven't lost since Cal State L.A. handed them a 54-53 setback in Kellogg Gym last month and remain in a first-place tie in teh conference with Humboldt State.

 

Chris Robinson had 14 points to lead three Golden Eagles in double figures. Chris Fields had 11 points and Mark Dorsey just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.

 

Dwayne Fells had 18 points and nine rebounds to lead Cal Poly Pomona, while Donnelle Booker had 15 points and Austin Swift had 12 points.

 

Cal State L.A. made 51.9 percent of its shots in the second half (14-of-27) and began attacking the Broncos more effectively. The Broncos, though, were able to keep their lead by shooting 43.5 percent (10-of-23) and making 15 of their 21 free-throw attempts in the second half.

 

Cal Poly Pomona was 26-of-36 for the game from the line, while Cal State L.A. was 10-of-15.

 

The Broncos had a 36-29 rebounding edge and forced 12 Cal State L.A. turnovers while committing only six.

 

Cal State L.A. fell into a big early hole and never got out of it. Cal Poly Pomona scored the first nine points of the game and opened up a 21-4 lead just 11 minutes into the game. The Broncos grabbed a 33-16 lead by halftime.

 

The Golden Eagles' troubles continued in the early portions of the second half and Cal Poly Pomona opened up a 29-point lead, 52-23, with 11:45 left.

 

Trevor Hopkins, though, knocked down a 3-pointer to begin a 10-1 run that brought the Golden Eagles to within 53-37. The run was punctuated by a dunk by Dorsey that prompted a Cal Poly Pomona timeout. The Golden Eagles then forced Swift to miss a 3-pointer, but Mitchel Anderson got the offensive rebound and basket to stop the Cal State L.A. run.

 

The Broncos scored five straight points to boost the lead back to 21 points, but the Golden Eagles stormed back once again, getting a pair of free throws by Dorsey, back-to-back baskets by Fields and a layup by Robinson to make it 58-45 with three minutes left. Robinson was fouled on the play, but missed the free throw and Cal Poly Pomona scored the next three points to finally put the game away.

 

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Cal State San Bernardino.