Box Score

HAYWARD -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team put the finishing touches on a successful first California Collegiate Athletic Association road trip.

The Golden Eagles overcame an early 11-point deficit and beat Cal State East Bay, 71-64, Monday in Pioneer Gym. Cal State L.A. (8-1, 4-1 CCAA) posted wins over Cal State East Bay and Cal State Monterey Bay in its first two conference road games of the season.

Cal State L.A. fell behind early, 13-2, but opened up a 43-34 advantage by halftime. The Golden Eagles led by as many as 10 points in the second half and maintained an advantage the rest of the way.

Quinton Watkins led five Golden Eagles in double figures with 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. Chris Robinson had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists, Leland Jones had 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Ryan Wetherell had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists and Jordan Richard had 10 points and six rebounds.

Nick Marshall had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Jurrell Turner had 10 points and five rebounds to lead Cal State East Bay (4-4, 2-2 CCAA). The Pioneers had opened conference play with home wins over Sonoma State and Humboldt State, but sustained losses on back-to-back losses to Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A.

Cal State L.A. shot 47.4 percent for the game (27-of-57), including 58.1 percent (18-of-31) in the first half. The Golden Eagles were 7-of-17 from 3-point range, with Watkins hitting three 3-pointers and Robinson and Wetherell hitting two each. Cal State L.A. limited Cal State East Bay to 37.3 shooting (22-of-59) and 21.1 percent from 3-point range (4-of-19).

Cal State L.A. was an efficient 10-of-12 from the free-throw line, while Cal State East Bay was 16-of-19. The Golden Eagles had a 40-30 rebounding edge and was able to overcome 14 turnovers. The Pioneers committed only three turnovers.

The Golden Eagles fell behind, 13-2, in the opening minutes of the game, but went on a 17-2 run to erase the deficit. A 3-pointer by Wetherell put the Golden Eagles ahead for good, 28-27 and was quickly followed by another basket by Wetherell and a 3-pointer by Watkins. The Golden Eagles took their biggest lead of the game, 43-32, after a basket by Robinson and settled for a 43-34 halftime lead.

Cal State East Bay promptly sliced the deficit to four points early in the second half, but a 3-pointer by Robinson boosted the lead back to nine points, 54-45, with 9:45 to go. The Pioneers stayed within striking distance, but never could overtake the Golden Eagles. A basket by Carl Hoffman made it 62-52 with 4:52 remaining and a pair of free throws by Hoffman made it 64-54 with 3:15 to go.

A 3-pointer by Wetherell gave the Golden Eagles a nine-point lead, 69-60, with 1:29 to go and a pair of free throws by Jibreel Nasir with 24 seconds remaining closed out the game.

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Friday, Dec. 30, at Cal State Dominguez Hills.