Box Score LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team was able to post a victory Friday night over the team that has knocked the Golden Eagles out of the California Collegiate Athletic Association's Championship Tournament the past two seasons.
 
The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 10-point halftime lead and successfully held off a number of Humboldt State surges to beat the Lumberjacks, 77-70, in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (10-5, 7-4 CCAA) won its third straight game and remained in a third-place tie with San Francisco State.
 
Humboldt State (6-9, 2-9 CCAA) had eliminated the Golden Eagles from the conference tournament twice – in the semi-finals two years ago and in a tight first-round game in Arcata last year – but the Lumberjacks came up short on Friday.
 
James Tillman had 21 points to lead four Golden Eagles in double figures. Jordan Richard had another big game with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks, Joshua Munzon had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists and Julian Camper had 13 points and four rebounds in 17 productive minutes off the bench.
 
Austin Bryan had 17 points to lead Humboldt State, while Thomas Witzel added 15 points off the bench.
 
Cal State L.A. shot an efficient 53.7 percent (22-of-41) and limited Humboldt State to just 31.5 percent (23-of-73). The Golden Eagles were also 30-of-42 from the free-throw line, while the Lumberjacks were 16-of-30. Cal State L.A. was on the short end of a 44-39 rebounding count and also allowed 27 offensive rebounds. The Golden Eagles also survived despite committing 28 turnovers. Humboldt State committed 20 turnovers.
 
Cal State L.A. led for most of the game after shooting 55.6 percent (15-of-27) in the opening half. The Golden Eagles were also 13-of-15 from the free-throw line in the first period.
 
The Golden Eagles opened up a 26-13 lead after a pair of free throws by Tillman, only to see Humboldt State slice the margin to just three points, 28-25, after a free throw by Ethan Dillard. A 3-pointer by Munzon restored order for the Golden Eagles and baskets by Richard and Tillman bumped the lead back to 10 points, 35-25.
 
Humboldt State again rallied and sliced the lead to just four points, 39-35, but the Golden Eagles closed the half with six straight points on a pair of free throws by Richard and a rare four-point play by Munzon, who was fouled on a successful 3-point shot.
 
The Golden Eagles led for the rest of the way, moving out to a 13-point lead at 48-35 after a basket by Richard. Humboldt State got as close as six points on numerous occasions midway through the half, the final time at 58-52. Munzon, though, knocked down another 3-pointer and Tillman made two free throws to extend the lead back to 63-52.
 
Humboldt State got as close as five points in the final minute, but Trimble knocked down two free throws in the final seconds to put the game away.
 
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday with a home game against No. 6 Cal Poly Pomona.