Box Score LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team certainly makes things exciting for its followers.
 
The Golden Eagles went into extra time for a second time this season and came away with a thrilling 72-70 win over Humboldt State Friday night in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. rallied from a 16-point, first-half deficit and made some key defensive stops down the stretch to pull out the win.

Earlier this season, the Golden Eagles prevailed in a triple-overtime contest at home against Cal State Monterey Bay.
 
Cal State L.A. (13-5, 8-3 CCAA) got a go-ahead layup from Tessondra Williams with 37 seconds remaining in overtime and stretched the lead to two points after Kelli Lewis was fouled after getting a rebound and made one free throw with six seconds remaining. The Golden Eagles then forced a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer that was off to finally collect the win.
 
Lewis had a season-high 25 points to lead the Golden Eagles, while Williams and Paige Melville had 15 points each. Richelle Najera also had a big game with eight points and 12 rebounds.
 
Humboldt State (8-9, 4-7 CCAA) got 15 points from Lisa Petty and 13 points from Ali Orlich. Kelly Kime had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Cal State L.A. struggled from the outside against a tough Humboldt State defense and made only two of 19 attempts from behind the 3-point arc. The Golden Eagles were successful driving to the basket, however, and wound up shooting 38.8 percent (26-of-67). Humboldt State shot 37.3 percent (25-of-67) and knocked down eight 3-pointers in 28 attempts.
 
The Golden Eagles were 18-of-24 from the free-throw line, while Humboldt State was 12-of-17. Cal State L.A. enjoyed a 49-41 rebounding edge and had 15 turnovers to 16 for the 'Jacks.
 
Cal State L.A. struggled early in the game and fell behind, 30-14, with seven minutes remaining in the first half. The Golden Eagles closed the half on a 15-5 run to close to within 35-29 by halftime.
 
The Golden Eagles took their first lead of the second half after a three-point play by Lewis with 14 minutes to play and neither team led by more than four points the rest of the way.
 
A 3-pointer by Orlich and a free throw by Danielle Gaumer gave the 'Jacks a 57-53 lead with five minutes to go, but two free throws by Melville and two free throws by Najera tied it at 57-57.
 
Kime scored consecutive baskets to give Humboldt State a 61-57 lead with three minutes left, but a three-point play by Williams and a free throw by Maryum Jenkins tied it again at 61-61 with 1:50 to play.
 
Two free throws by Lewis gave the Golden Eagles a 63-61 lead in the final minute, but Orlich was fouled after grabbing the rebound of a missed free throw by Najera and made two free throws with eight seconds left to send the game into overtime.
 
Lewis scored the opening basket in overtime, but Richards hit a 3-pointer to put the 'Jacks ahead, 66-65. Najera scored on a layup to put the Golden Eagles up, 67-66, but Kime responded with a go-ahead layup for the 'Jacks with 2:40 remaining.
 
Alisha Belt then grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled with 1:30 to play and made two free throws to give Cal State L.A. a 69-68 lead and, after Orlich scored on a layup to give the 'Jacks a 70-69 lead in the final minute, Williams scored on a driving layup for the winning points with 37 seconds to play.
 
Cal State L.A.'s defense then stepped up and forced an off-balance shot by Petty that missed with five seconds remaining and Lewis grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Lewis hit one free throw to finish the scoring.
 
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Cal Poly Pomona.