Box Score

SEASIDE -- Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team never could overcome a large first-half deficit against the defending regular-season California Collegiate Athletic Association champs, but that's not to say the Golden Eagles didn't put up a battle.

The Golden Eagles stayed within striking distance, but ultimately fell to Cal State Monterey Bay, 71-60, Sunday afternoon in the Kelp Bed. Cal State L.A. (4-4, 2-2 CCAA) was playing in its first road conference game of the season.

The Golden Eagles surrendered the first six points of the game and fell behind by as many as 17 points in the first half, but used a strong second-half surge to pull to within eight points with 2:47 remaining in the contest. That was as close as Cal State L.A. would get, though, and Cal State Monterey Bay (6-1, 3-0 CCAA) held on for the win.

Cal State L.A. was held to just 34.3 percent shooting, while Cal State Monterey Bay shot 40.6 pecent. The Golden Eagles were out-rebounded by a 50-37 count, but forced 22 turnovers while committing 17.

Lacy Ramon had had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Jazzi Johnson had 12 points and nine rebounds.

Stefanie Corgel had 20 points for Cal State Monterey Bay, while Brandi Stephens had 19 points and six rebounds.

Samantha Hansen had eight points and four rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Amanda Deal added six points.

The Otters scored the first six points of the game before Hansen got the Golden Eagles on the board. A free throw by Maryum Jenkins made it 6-3 and an offensive rebound basket by Hansen made it 16-10. Cal State Monterey Bay then used an 11-0 run to open up a 27-10 advantage late in the half.

Cal State L.A. trailed, 37-22, at halftime and fell behind by as many as 19 points in the second half. The Golden Eagles still trailed by 18 points, 67-49, before embarking on a 10-0 run that got them back into the game. Ramon started the run with a basket and a basket by Johnson made it 67-53. A fastbreak basket by Erika Ruiz made it 67-55, two free throws by Johnson made it 67-57 and a basket by Ramon sliced the deficit to 67-59 with 2:47 remaining.

The Otters, though, limited the Golden Eagles to just one point over the remainder of the game to stretch the final margin.

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