Box Score

POMONA -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team fell short in its bid to post a second consecutive win over the defending national champions.

The Golden Eagles hung around for most of the game before Cal Poly Pomona put together a big run down the stretch to beat Cal State L.A., 64-48, Friday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in Kellogg Gym. Cal State L.A. (12-7, 8-7 CCAA) slipped into sixth place in the conference, one-half game behind Cal Poly Pomona (11-7, 8-6 CCAA) and Cal State San Bernardino for fourth.

The Golden Eagles had taken control down the stretch in their win over the Broncos in December, but the roles were reversed on Friday. The Golden Eagles, who sliced a 12-point first-half deficit down to two points three times in the second half, were down by just six points, 47-41, with 6:52 remaining. Cal Poly Pomona, though, then took over with a 14-2 run to open up a 61-43 lead and won going away.

Cal State L.A., which forced 16 turnovers and committed only eight in their earlier win over the Broncos, saw that reversed as well in the rematch. The Golden Eagles committed 14 on Friday, while Cal Poly Pomona had only nine. That, combined with a woeful 4-of-14 performance from the free-throw line, was too much to overcome on Friday. Cal Poly Pomona, which struggled from the line as well in its loss to the Golden Eagles in December, was 15-of-23 on Friday.

Cal State L.A. actually shot the ball better on Friday than it did in its win in December. The Golden Eagles shot only 32.7 percent in the first meeting and shot 42.6 percent (20-of-47) on Friday. The Broncos, though, after shooting only 34.6 percent in the first half on Friday, shot 59.1 percent in the second half and finished at 45.8 percent (22-of-48).

Both teams struggled from behind the 3-point arc -- Cal State L.A. was only 4-of-18, while Cal Poly Pomona was just 5-of-16.

Cal State L.A. had a 32-28 rebounding edge.

Franklin Session had 15 points and six rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Carl Hoffman had 11 points. David Norris had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Kevin Menner had 25 points for Cal Poly Pomona to lead all scorers. Mitchel Anderson had 12 points and Donnelle Booker had 10 points, including six on back-to-back 3-pointers during the game-deciding run.

Cal State L.A. trailed for the entire game after allowing the first five points of the contest. The Golden Eagles were able to stay within striking distance, though, until the final run by the Broncos. Cal State L.A. trailed, 25-13, but closed the first half on a 9-2 run to close to within 27-22 at halftime. Bussey Ellis hit a 3-pointer to start a 9-0 run that included a pair of baskets by Session and one by Norris.

The Golden Eagles got to within two points three times early in the second half, the final time on a basket by Session that made it 31-29 with 14 minutes to play. A free throw by Chris Robinson brought the Golden Eagles to within four points at 34-30 and a basket by Norris got the Golden Eagles to within six points at 47-41 with 6:52 remaining.

That set the stage for the Broncos' game-breaking 14-2 run.

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday with a game at Cal State San Bernardino.