Box Score LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team turned up its defense in time to post a big California Collegiate Athletic Association victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills.
 
The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, but tied the game by halftime and went on to a 59-46 victory over the Toros Saturday in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (4-3, 2-2 CCAA) outscored Cal State Dominguez Hills, 28-15, in the second half.
 
The game was quite a bit different than the first meeting when Cal State L.A. led by 11 points at halftime and was outscored by 18 points in the second half of a 62-55 loss to the Toros on Nov. 15.
 
This time, the Golden Eagles allowed only six second-half baskets and eventually pulled away down the stretch.
 
James Tillman had 14 points to lead three Golden Eagles in double figures. Joshua Munzon had 12 points and six rebounds, while Jordan Richard had 10 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks while being a major disruption to Cal State Dominguez Hills' offense. The nation's leading shot blocker, Richard not only blocked shots on Saturday, but he also altered many others, most of which resulted in missed shots.
 
Pierson Williams had nine points to lead Cal State Dominguez Hills (5-5, 2-2 CCAA), while DeShaun Freeman and Ryan Jefferson had eight points each.
 
Cal State L.A. shot 47.9 percent from the floor (23-of-48), while holding Cal State Dominguez Hills to just 28.1 percent shooting (16-of-57). The Golden Eagles had a 40-31 edge in rebounds and forced 22 turnovers while committing 19.
 
Head coach Stephen Thompson might want to save his halftime speech and adjustments made in this one. The Golden Eagles forced the Toros to take a timeout while trying to inbound the ball to start the second half and then scored the first four points of the period to take the lead for good.
 
Richard had a big hand in giving the Golden Eagles the lead for good. After Tillman scored to make it 33-31, Richard blocked a shot that led to a layup by Munzon.
 
The Toros played with more intensity early and opened up a 16-6 lead after an 8-0 run that culminated with a steal by Lamine Diame and a layup by Mitrell Clark. A 3-pointer by Clark gave the Toros another 10-point lead, 19-9, midway through the half. The Golden Eagles, though, began to work their way back into the game and made a huge run when Willie Trimble knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to one point, 30-29. A layup by Tillman tied it at halftime, 31-31.
 
The Golden Eagles then played an outstanding second half to earn the much-needed victory. Cal State L.A. eventually broke the game with an 8-0 run that extended a 42-40 lead to 50-40. Cheyanne Alcala hit a jumper to start the run, Munzon made a layup, Alcala had a steal and layup and then made another layup. After the Toros broke the string with a free throw, Solomon Singer hit a big 3-pointer to give Cal State L.A. a 53-41 with 3:30 to go. Four free throws by Alcala and Munzon in the final minute kept the Toros at bay.

Alcala finished with eight points, all in the second half, for Cal State L.A., Trimble had six points and Singer finished with five points and seven rebounds.
 
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Dec. 29 with a road game at Holy Names.