Box Score

LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team played strong enough defense to knock off one of the California Collegiate Athletic Association's leaders, but the offense simply wasn't there Friday.

 

The Golden Eagles limited Humboldt State well below its conference-leading scoring average, but came up short in a 57-51 decision in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (11-4, 7-4 CCAA) led by one at halftime, but then struggled and shot just 27.8 percent in the second half.

 

Humboldt State (14-1, 10-1 CCAA), which entered the game averaging 82 points per game, outscored the Golden Eagles, 29-22, in the second half. It was a frustrating second 20 minutes for Cal State L.A., which was held to 1-for-8 shooting from behind the 3-point arc and also missed six of seven free-throw attempts.

 

David Norris had 14 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Carl Hoffman had 11 points and seven rebounds. Chris Robinson had 10 points and 11 rebounds and Franklin Session had eight points and 10 rebounds.

Brian Morris had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Lumberjacks, while Randy Hunter had 14 points and eight rebounds and Kyle Baxter had 12 points and seven rebounds.

 

The Golden Eagles had a slight 42-40 rebounding edge, but was unable to take full advantage of 17 offensive boards.

 

The Golden Eagles had 11 turnovers to 10 for Humboldt State.

 

Cal State L.A. started quickly and opened up a 13-8 lead following a 3-pointer by Robinson with 13 minutes left in the first half. The Golden Eagles still led by five, 20-15, following a 3-pointer by Session and again at 22-17 following a basket by Hoffman. The Lumberjacks, though, scored the next seven points before a three-point play by Robinson gave the Golden Eagles a 29-26 lead late in the half. A basket by Baxter made it 29-28 at halftime.

 

Humboldt State scored the first five points of the second half, but the Golden Eagles regrouped and took their final lead of the night, 36-35, following a layup by Session with 15:30 remaining.

 

The game was tied four more times, the final time at 43-43 after a basket by Ozzie Morrison. Humboldt State, though, scored the next seven points and never trailed again.

 

Cal State L.A. pulled to within four points, 53-49, following a layup by Bussey Ellis with 2:50 remaining, but the Golden Eagles were blanked until a layup by Norris in the final few seconds of the game.

 

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