Box Score

SAN BERNARDINO -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team staged another impressive second-half rally against Cal State San Bernardino, only this time the comeback came up short.

The Golden Eagles stormed back from a 14-point second-half deficit and got to within two points of the Coyotes, but ultimately fell, 75-71, Saturday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in Coussoulis Arena. Cal State L.A. (12-8, 8-8 CCAA) dropped its second straight game, but the Golden Eagles gave the Coyotes all they could handle.

In the first meeting between the two schools, the Golden Eagles rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat the Coyotes in the Eagles Nest. On Saturday, the Golden Eagles trailed by 10 points at the break again, only this time Cal State San Bernardino was able to hold on for the win.

Franklin Session had a big second half and finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. He played most of the second half with four fouls. Carl Hoffman had a big game with 18 points and nine rebounds. David Norris had 16 points and eight rebounds.

Kwame Alexander had 22 points and seven rebounds for Cal State San Bernardino (11-8, 9-6 CCAA), while Aaron Hill had 12 points and Robbie Robinson and Corey Gaston had 11 points each.

The Golden Eagles shot 40 percent for the game (26-of-65), while the Coyotes were 22-of-51 for 43.1 percent. Cal State L.A. was 8-of-23 from behind the 3-point arc, while the Coyotes were 7-of-16. Cal State L.A. had a 44-31 rebounding advantage, but did commit 15 turnovers to only nine for the Coyotes.

Cal State L.A. had one of its best performances from the free-throw line of the season, knocking down 11-of-15 (73.3 percent). The problem was Cal State San Bernardino was a much more frequent visitor to the free-throw line, hitting 24-of-34 (70.6 percent).

Cal State L.A. trailed by as many as 12 points in the opening half, but a basket by Norris made it 35-25 at halftime.

The Golden Eagles then trailed by as many as 14 points, 50-36, before back-to-back 3-pointers by Norris and Chris Robinson got the Golden Eagles back in the game. Cal State San Bernardino was able to bump its lead back to 11 points, 60-49, but a pair of free throws by Session and a basket by Session made it 60-53. The Golden Eagles continued to pressure the Coyotes and a 3-pointer by Norris and a pair of free throws by Norris made it 68-66 with 1:59 remaining.

Bussey Ellis scored to bring the Golden Eagles to within two points once again, 70-68, but the Coyotes hit four straight free throws to extend the lead back to six points. Hoffman converted on a three-point play to make it 74-71, but Cal State San Bernardino hit another free throw to finally put the game out of reach.

Cal State L.A. will return to action next Friday with a home game against San Francisco State.