Box Score LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team was able to hold on – twice – for a big California Collegiate Athletic Association victory Friday night.
 
The Golden Eagles, much to their surprise, were called upon to stop Chico State twice in the waning seconds and Cal State L.A. did just that in an exciting 54-53 victory in the Eagles Nest.
 
Cal State L.A. (8-5, 5-4 CCAA) thought it had things in hand when Jordan Richard grabbed a rebound of a missed shot with six seconds to go and wound up on the floor with two seconds left. The Golden Eagles thought Jordan was headed to the free throw line after a foul, but, after huddling, the officials ruled a traveling violation giving the Wildcats one last chance.
 
This time, the Golden Eagles clamped down and didn't allow another shot as the buzzer sounded.
 
Quinton Watkins had a sensational game for the Golden Eagles, pouring in a game-high 21 points and knocked down five 3-pointers. James Tillman had 14 points and eight rebounds and Richard had another big game in the middle, hauling down eight rebounds and blocking seven shots to go along with four points.
 
Rashad Parker had 16 points to lead Chico State (8-5, 5-4 CCAA), while Amir Carraway had 10 points and five rebounds.
 
The Golden Eagles won despite giving up the first 13 points of the game. Cal State L.A. steadily got back into the game and won it with big plays on the defensive end down the stretch.
 
The battle between two teams in the top five nationally in points allowed was as expected, a defensive struggle. Cal State L.A. shot just 36.4 percent (20-of-55), while Chico State shot just 37.5 percent (21-of-56). The Golden Eagles had an edge in 3-point shooting, making 6-of-15, while Chico State made just 2-of-19. The Golden Eagles were also 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, while Chico State was 9-of-16.
 
Cal State L.A. had a 39-37 rebounding edge and committed 18 turnovers to 15 for the Wildcats in a fast-paced game.
 
The Golden Eagles shot much better in the second half, making 43.5 percent compared to just 31.3 percent in the first half. Cal State L.A. hit all its free throws in the second half after not getting an attempt in the first half.
 
Chico State, meanwhile, shot 40.7 percent in the first half and just 34.5 percent in the second half and going just 4-of-11 from the free-throw line in the second half after making all five attempts in the first half.
 
The Golden Eagles didn't score until a layup by Watkins after seven minutes of action. Tillman scored six straight points to make it 13-8 and the Golden Eagles eventually closed to within 16-15 after another layup by Tillman with 7:32 to go in the half.
 
Chico State built its lead back to eight points and settled for a 29-23 halftime lead.
 
The Golden Eagles faced a nine-point deficit in the second half and still trailed by eight points, 42-34, with 12:25 to go. Cal State L.A., though, went on a 10-2 run and tied the game at 44-44 after a layup by Tillman with 9:24 to go.
 
Chico State moved out to a five-point lead, 51-46, with 5:36 to go, but the Golden Eagles held the Wildcats without a basket the rest of the way. Two free throws by Joshua Munzon tied the game at 52-52 with 3:30 to go and a layup by Munzon off a pass from Tillman put the Golden Eagles ahead, 54-52 with 2:25 to go.
 
A free throw by Carraway made it 54-53 with 50 seconds to go, setting the stage for the frantic finish.