Box Score

SEASIDE -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team didn't have a great day shooting the ball, but the Golden Eagle defense made sure it didn't result in a California Collegiate Athletic Association defeat.

The Golden Eagles rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit and beat Cal State Monterey Bay, 62-60, Sunday in the Kelp Bed. Cal State L.A. (7-1, 3-1 CCAA) was playing its first road contest in conference action. The Golden Eagles tied the game at 57-57 with 2:44 left and held Cal State Monterey Bay scoreless until a late 3-pointer at the buzzer that merely trimmed a five-point lead to a final two-point margin.

Chris Robinson and Leland Jones both tied career highs in points to lead the win. Robinson had 21 points and five rebounds, while Jones had a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double. Jordan Richard also had a strong game for the Golden Eagles with eight points and 10 rebounds.

James Thomas had 19 points to lead three players in double figures for Cal State Monterey Bay (2-5, 1-2 CCAA). Kevin Loustale had 13 points, while Brandon Ward had 10 points.

The Golden Eagles only shot 37.7 percent for the game and really struggled from long range. Cal State L.A. was only 2-of-13 from behind the 3-point arc (15.4 percent) and also made only 20-of-38 from the free-throw line. Cal State Monterey Bay shot 42.2 percent for the game and was a red-hot 60 percent from behind the 3-point arc, knocking down nine 3-pointers in 15 tries to make things interesting. The Otters were also an efficient 13-of-15 from the free-throw line.

Cal State L.A. had a 35-34 rebounding edge and forced 24 turnovers while committing 14.

The Golden Eagles had 11 steals, including five by Robinson.

The Otters opened up a 31-20 lead late in the first half after a 3-pointer by Thomas, but the Golden Eagles got a pair of free throws by Quinton Watkins, a basket by Jones and a free throw by Watkins to slice the margin to 31-25 at halftime.

The Otters then grabbed a 39-29 lead with 16:43 to go in the game before the Golden Eagles rallied. Cal State L.A. scored seven straight points and took a 51-50 lead after a free throw by Richard. A 3-pointer by Thomas put the Otters back ahead and Cal State Monterey Bay took a 57-54 lead before a game-tying 3-pointer by Robinson tied it with 2:44 remaining.

The Golden Eagle defense took it from there. Robinson's jumper put the Golden Eagles ahead for good, 59-57 with one minutes to go. Jones rebounded a Cal State Monterey Bay miss and Watkins hit one free throw to give the Golden Eagles a 60-57 advantage with 29 seconds to go. Robinson then came up with a steal and hit a free throw to put the game away, 61-57, with seven seconds to go.

A free throw by Ryan Wetherell following another Otter turnover made it 62-57.

Watkins finished with seven points and four assists, while Wetherell had five points, three assists and three steals.

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Monday with a conference game at Cal State East Bay.