Box Score
LA JOLLA -- Cal State L.A.'s men's team came oh-so-close to joining a logjam atop the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
Instead, the Golden Eagles find themselves in a two-way tie for sixth place, one game back of five teams tied for first after a disappointing 57-56 loss at UC San Diego Friday night in RIMAC Arena. Cal State L.A. (13-6, 9-6 CCAA) is now tied with Sonoma State, one game back of conference leaders Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona, Chico State and Humboldt State.
The Golden Eagles trailed by five points in the final minute, yet almost pulled out the victory.
Jordan Richard scored on a dunk with 43 seconds left to cut the deficit to three points and
Leland Jones made a steal, was fouled and made both free throws to make it 57-56 with 22 seconds left. Jones then rebounded a missed front end of a one-and-one with 13 seconds remaining, but
Quinton Watkins' bid for a game-winner missed and the rebound rolled out of bounds as time expired.
Chris Robinson scored 16 points for the Golden Eagles, while Watkins had 10 points. Jones had eight points, eight rebounds and five steals,
Marc Wilson had nine points and
Jordan Richard had two points, four rebounds and eight blocks.
Carl Hoffman hit all four of his field-goal attempts and had eight points.
UC San Diego (8-12, 4-11 CCAA) got 16 points from James McCann and 15 points from Tyler McGrath.
Cal State L.A. shot 44 percent for the game (22-of-50), while UC San Diego shot 47.9 percent (23-of-48). The Golden Eagles were 5-of-15 from 3-point range, while UC San Diego was 6-of-12. The Golden Eagles were out-rebounded by the Tritons, 31-27, and committed 12 turnovers to 16 for the Tritons.
The game was close throughout and tied at halftime, 30-30. Cal State L.A. started quickly and opened up a 20-13 lead after a 3-pointer by
Bussey Ellis and four straight points by Wilson broke a 13-13 tie. The Tritons, though, responded with a 9-0 run to take the lead and the Golden Eagles went nearly six minutes without scoring until an offensive rebound basket by Jones tied it at 22-22. After UC San Diego took a brief lead, a basket by Hoffman tied at halftime, 30-30.
The Tritons took a seven-point lead early in the half, 43-36, but the Golden Eagles went on an 11-0 run to take the lead. A basket by Robinson, two straight baskets by Watkins and five straight points by Wilson, that included a 3-pointer, gave Cal State L.A. a 47-43 lead with 8:45 to go. The Tritons then grabbed a 50-47 lead, but the Golden Eagles scored the next five points and took a 52-50 lead on a 3-pointer by Watkins. McGrath, though, hit a three-pointer on the Tritons' next possession to start a 7-0 run that put the Tritons ahead by five.
After a timeout, the Golden Eagles got their comeback bid started on Richard's dunk, but they ultimately fell just short.
The Golden Eagles will return to action on Saturday night with a road game at Cal State San Bernardino.
