Box Score

ROHNERT PARK -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team faced a large second-half deficit for the third straight game, only this time the Golden Eagles were unable to climb all the way back.

The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 17 points, cut the deficit to two points with two minutes left, but fell to Sonoma State, 76-69, Wednesday night in The Wolves' Den. Cal State L.A. (14-11, 10-11 CCAA) lost for the second time this season to the Seawolves (10-15, 8-13 CCAA), who are still fighting for a spot in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament.

The Golden Eagles have already clinched a spot in the tournament and will open postseason play in a road game on Tuesday. Cal State L.A. would be best advised to stop a recent trend of falling behind by big margins. In their last three games, all against teams lower than them in the standings, the Golden Eagles have faced double-digit deficits in the second half.

They rallied to get home wins against Cal State East Bay and UC San Diego last week to wrap up a spot in the CCAA tourney, but couldn't overcome the Seawolves on Wednesday. After trailing, 45-28, early in the second half, the Golden Eagles pulled to within two points, 69-67, after a layup by Leland Jones with 1:41 to go. An offensive rebound and basket by Jones made it 72-69 with 1:06 to play, but the Golden Eagles were blanked the rest of the way and Sonoma State made all four of its free throws in the final minute.

Chris Robinson had 19 points to lead the Golden Eagles, while Franklin Session had 15 points and eight rebounds and was perfect in nine attempts from the free-throw line. David Norris had 13 points and Jones had 10 points and five rebounds.

Ben Washington had a game-high 26 points to lead Sonoma State. Patrick Scott had 13 points, Matthew French had 12 points and Sterling Arterberry had 11 points.

The Golden Eagles shot 46.3 percent for the game, including 53.6 percent (15-of-28) in the second half. Sonoma State shot 49 percent for the game and made 50 percent (11-of-22) in the second half. The Seawolves had a 32-27 rebounding edge and committed 16 turnovers to 14 for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State L.A. was 15-of-22 from the free-throw line, led by Session, who was 9-of-9. The Seawolves were 23-of-28, including a 12-of-13 effort from Washington.

Cal State L.A. never led in the game and was tied only once, at 4-4. Sonoma State scored the next nine points to take the lead for good and held a 38-26 lead at halftime.

That lead balooned to 45-28 in the first two minutes of the second half before the Golden Eagles began their steady climb back into the game.

The Golden Eagles will conclude their regular season with a road game at Humboldt State, which clinched the conference's regular-season championship on Wednesday. The Golden Eagles will then open CCAA Tournament play on Tuesday against an opponent to be determined.