Box Score
LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team sputtered a bit early, but once the Golden Eagles started clicking, good things started happening in their California Collegiate Athletic Association opener Wednesday night.
The Golden Eagles fell behind by as many as 11 points in the first half, but used a big second-half performance to post a 73-58 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (2-0, 1-0 CCAA) shot 62 percent in the second half while outscoring the Toros, 45-28, over the final 20 minutes. The Golden Eagles were 18-of-29 from the floor, including 6-of-12 from behind the 3-point arc.
All five starters scored in double figures for the Golden Eagles, while four of the five starters for Cal State Dominguez Hills (0-1, 0-1 CCAA) hit double figures.
Cal State L.A. enjoyed a big 39-28 rebounding edge and limited the Toros to just 17.6 percent shooting from behind the 3-point range. The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, knocked down nine 3-pointers and were also an efficient 10-of-14 from the free-throw line, including all three attempts in the second half.
Cal State L.A. shot 44.3 percent overall (27-of-61), while Cal State Dominguez Hills made 45.1 percent (23-of-51) of its shots.
Quinton Watkins led the balanced scoring attack for Cal State L.A. with 19 points and four rebounds, while
Ryan Wetherell had a strong game with 18 points and five assists.
Van Girard II led the Toros with 15 points, while Cornell Jenkins had 14 points.
Carl Hoffman had 13 points and eight rebounds,
Leland Jones had 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists and
Chris Robinson had 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
The Golden Eagles struggled early and fell behind by 11 points twice, the final time at 24-13 with 8:30 remaining in the first half. Cal State L.A. still trailed by eight points, 30-22, with four minutes left in the half, but a 3-pointer by Robinson, a free throw by Jones and two free throws by Wetherell cut the deficit to 30-28 by halftime.
Jenkins hit a pair of 3-pointers early in the second half for the Toros and a pair of free throws by Jenkins gave Cal State Dominguez Hills its last lead, 39-38, with 15:40 to go. A layup by Wetherell and a 3-pointer by Watkins gave the Golden Eagles a 43-39 lead and Cal State L.A. never trailed again. A layup by Jones gave the Golden Eagles their first double-digit lead, 54-44, with 10 minutes to play and a 3-pointer by Robinson boosted the lead to 57-46 with 8:30 remaining.
A steal and quick shot into the basket by Hoffman gave the Golden Eagles a 61-50 lead with five minutes left and Cal State L.A. led comfortably the rest of the way. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Watkins and Wetherell put the game out of reach, 69-53, with two minutes left.
Hoffman and Jones had effective games for the Golden Eagles, combining for 26 points on 12 baskets in 17 attempts with 15 rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Cal State L.A. will return to action next Friday, Nov. 25, with a home game against Pacifica College at 1 p.m.
