LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team needed a California Collegiate Athletic Association victory Saturday night in the Eagles Nest and the Golden Eagles managed a gritty win over Humboldt State.

One night after a physically draining game with Cal Poly Pomona, the Golden Eagles had enough left in the tank for a 74-70 win over the 'Jacks. Cal State L.A. (10-4, 7-3 CCAA) snapped a three-game losing streak and pulled into a three-way tie for third place in the conference with Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State.

The Golden Eagles had to battle through some adversity on Saturday, falling behind by as many as nine points in a first-half dominated by Humboldt State's David Howard. Cal State L.A. battled back to trail by just one point at halftime and then held the lead over the final seven minutes of play.

James Tillman had his second big game of the weekend, sharing game-high honors with Howard by scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Quinton Watkins had 16 points, Joshua Munzon contributed 12 points and Aaron Alston had 11 points and five rebounds.

Howard, who had 17 points in the first half, finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Allen Guei had 13 points, Parker Farris had 12 points and Will Taylor had 10 points for Humboldt State (7-9, 2-8 CCAA).

Cal State L.A. didn't have an exceptional shooting night and made just 37 percent of its attempts (20-of-54). Humboldt State made 40 percent of its shots (26-of-65). Both teams were 5-of-17 from 3-point range. Cal State L.A. had a 40-38 rebounding edge and committed 10 turnovers to 12 for the 'Jacks.

One night after a dismal performance at the free-throw line, the Golden Eagles were 29-of-36 on Saturday (80.6 percent). Humboldt State was 13-of-18.

The 'Jacks rode the hot start of Howard to an early 25-16 lead. Howard at one point had outscored the Golden Eagles, 16-14. After a 3-pointer by Farris gave the 'Jacks their nine-point lead, Munzon hit a big 3-pointer to get the Golden Eagles going on the comeback trail.

A pair of free throws by Alston trimmed the deficit to four points and four straight points from Tillman tied it late in the half.

Humboldt State got a late free throw by Howard to take a 28-27 halftime lead.

A tip-in by Jordan Mitchell pushed the Golden Eagles ahead early in the second half, 29-28 and neither team led by more than four points until a late Cal State L.A. surge. Guei hit three straight layups to give the 'Jacks a 51-47 lead with eight minutes left, but the Golden Eagles got baskets from Alston and Watkins to tie it up. Munzon then hit a 3-pointer to give the Golden Eagles a 54-53 lead with seven minutes left and Cal State L.A. led the rest of the way – although they had to survive some anxious moments along the way.

A layup by Tillman and another 3-pointer by Munzon opened up a 62-55 lead for the Golden Eagles with five minutes left, but a 3-pointer by Farris kept the 'Jacks within striking distance.

After a layup by Guei made it 66-63 with two minutes to go, Tillman countered with a layup to make it 68-63. Single free throws by Tillman and Watkins in the final minute pushed the lead to 70-65, but Farris hit three free throws after an ill-advised foul to make it 70-68 with 27 seconds left. Watkins was immediately fouled and made one free throw to push the lead to 71-68 and after a key block by Solomon Singer, the Golden Eagles got another free throw from Munzon to make it 72-68. Alston rebounded a Humboldt State miss and then converted two more free throws to put the game out of reach.

Cal State L.A. will return to action next Friday at Cal State San Bernardino.