Box Score
LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team didn't score a lot Saturday, but the Golden Eagles had more than enough defensive prowess to make up for it.
The Golden Eagles allowed only 10 baskets in a 49-41 California Collegiate Athletic Association victory over UC San Diego Saturday night in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (5-1, 2-1 CCAA) successfully rebounded from a disappointing loss to Cal State San Bernardino on Friday with its second conference win in three outings.
Quinton Watkins had a game-high 15 points to lead the Golden Eagles, while
Carl Hoffman had a 11-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Jordan Richard also had a big game for the Golden Eagles with a game-high 11 rebounds and six points, all in the second half.
Tyler McGrath led the Tritons (3-4, 0-3 CCAA) with nine points and five rebounds, while James McCann had eight points.
Cal State L.A. had a 39-31 rebounding edge, including a 13-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. The Golden Eagles also forced 16 turnovers while committing 12.
Neither team shot well. Cal State L.A. was just 19-of-56 (33.9 percent), while UC San Diego was just 10-of-32 (31.3 percent). The Golden Eagles were only 4-of-17 from behind the 3-point arc, while the Tritons missed all eight of their 3-point tries.
UC San Diego was able to stay within striking distance thanks to an efficient performance from the free-throw line, where the Tritons were 21-of-30 (70 percent). Cal State L.A. struggled from the line, making only 7-of-16 (43.8 percent). Two of those makes, though, came from
Jibreel Nasir that finally put the game out of reach at 47-41 with 22 seconds remaining. Nasir finished with six points and some outstanding defense.
A jumper by McCann gave the Tritons a 6-5 lead five minutes into the game and when Watkins hit a 3-pointer for the Golden Eagles to give them an 8-6 advantage, it ultimately gave them the lead for good.
Another 3-pointer by Watkins opened up an 18-11 advantage and a third 3-pointer by Watkins gave the Golden Eagles a 26-15 lead. Cal State L.A., though, managed only two points over the final 5:40 of the half and were blanked over the final three-and-a-half minutes as UC San Diego clawed to within 28-24 at halftime.
The Tritons got to within two points twice in the second half, the final time at 30-28 following a McCann layup with 17:10 to play. Cal State L.A., though, scored the next seven points on a basket by Hoffman, a three-point play by Watkins and a layup by Nasir to open up a 37-28 lead with 13 minutes remaining.
The Golden Eagles took a 41-33 lead with seven minutes remaining after an offensive rebound and dunk by Richard and a tip-in by Richard made it 45-37 with 3:30 remaining. UC San Diego, though, managed only one basket the rest of the way and Cal State L.A., despite its own offensive woes, managed to maintain a safe advantage the rest of the way.
UC San Diego cut its deficit to four points, 45-41, on a basket by Justin Brue with 1:30 to go, but both teams came up with defensive stops before Nasir put the game away with his free throws.
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Monday, Dec. 12, with a road non-conference game at Holy Names.
