Box Score POMONA -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team threw a major scare into conference-leading Cal Poly Pomona before coming up just short in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in Kellogg Gym.

In a tightly-contested game that saw the top two defenses in the nation battle to the end, the Golden Eagles fell, 65-61, Wednesday night. Cal State L.A. (15-10, 12-9 CCAA) dropped its second straight game and fell out of a tie for fourth in the CCAA. The Golden Eagles are now one-half game behind Chico State. Cal State L.A. has already punched its ticket to the eight-team CCAA Championship Tournament, but the Golden Eagles need to finish in the top four to host a first-round game on Tuesday, March 5.

Julian Camper was overpowering once again, pouring in a game-high 18 points against Cal Poly Pomona's top-ranked defense. James Tillman had 14 points and Willie Trimble had a big second half and finished with 12 points. Jordan Richard had nine points, six rebounds and four more blocks.

Mitchel Anderson and DeRonn Scott had 13 points each for Cal Poly Pomona (23-2, 19-2 CCAA). Terrence Drisdom had 12 points and Mohamed Fall had 11 points and four rebounds.

The game featured the top two defenses in the nation with Cal Poly Pomona allowing 55 points per game and Cal State L.A. 57 points per contest. The offenses were actually a little more successful than those numbers. The Golden Eagles shot just 39.3 percent (22-of-56) and were just 2-of-13 from 3-point range. The Broncos shot 44 percent (22-of-50) and were 6-of-10 from 3-point range. Cal State L.A. was 15-of-18 from the free-throw line, while Cal Poly Pomona was 15-of-22. The teams were even in rebounding, 34-34 and Cal State L.A. had just 10 turnovers to 11 for the Broncos.

The game was tight throughout with the biggest lead of the game just six points. Cal Poly Pomona grabbed that six-point edge, 29-23, in the first half, only to see Camper hit two free throws, Solomon Singer score a basket and Tillman score on a layup to tie it late in the half. The Broncos scored the final basket of the first period to take a 31-29 halftime lead.

The Broncos opened up a quick five-point lead early in the second half, but the Golden Eagles fought back once again and forged a lead. Camper and Tillman scored back-to-back baskets to slice the deficit to one point and a three-point play by Richard kept the gap at just two points, 38-36. The Golden Eagles took their first lead of the second half on a basket by Trimble that made it 43-42 and a 3-pointer by Trimble gave the Golden Eagles a 46-45 edge. A basket by Tillman gave the Golden Eagles a 50-48 lead and a 3-pointer by Trimble broke a 50-50 tie and gave the Golden Eagles a 53-50 advantage with six minutes to play.

The Broncos responded by scoring the next six points and led the rest of the way, but never by a comfortable margin until the final seconds. A tip-in by Trimble made it 56-55 and a layup by Trimble kept the Golden Eagles within one point at 58-57. Camper scored on a layup to pull the Golden Eagles to within 60-59 with 2:23 to go, but Cal Poly Pomona hit two free throws to start a 5-0 run. Two free throws by Marc Wilson accounted for the Golden Eagles' final points.

Cal State L.A. will conclude the regular season with a road game at Humboldt State on Friday.