Box Score LA JOLLA -- Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team had a chance at a tough California Collegiate Athletic Association road sweep, but the Golden Eagles were unable to duplicate their fine defensive effort from Friday.

The Golden Eagles never could get an offensive rhythm and were unable to slow down UC San Diego and lost to the Tritons, 78-61, Saturday night in RIMAC Arena. Cal State L.A. (10-6, 7-5 CCAA) slipped out of a tie for third place in the tightly-bunched CCAA race.

Alisha Belt had 14 points for Cal State L.A., while Kaija Powell added 10 points. Michaela Reed and Faith Fantroy scored seven points each.

UC San Diego (11-5, 8-4 CCAA) was led by Megan Perry, who scored a game-high 16 points. Erin Dautremont had 13 points and six rebounds, while Miranda Soto had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Cal State L.A. shot 42.9 percent (24-of-56), while UC San Diego shot 45.1 percent (23-of-51). The Golden Eagles were just 3-of-16 from 3-point range, while UC San Diego was 7-of-19. Cal State L.A. was also just 10-of-16 from the free-throw line, while UC San Diego was 25-of-27 (92.6 percent).

The Golden Eagles were also out-rebounded, 39-26.

The Golden Eagles never led and allowed the first five points of the game. Cal State L.A. was able to dig itself out of a 12-7 deficit and eventually tied the game at 17-17 after an offensive rebound and basket by Powell and a pair of free throws by Paige Melville. UC San Diego, though, responded with a 13-1 run to take a 30-18 lead. The Tritons led by as many as 13 points before a pair of free throws by Belt made it 40-29 at halftime.

UC San Diego then scored the first five points of the second half and successfully kept the Golden Eagles at bay the rest of the way. Cal State L.A. was unable to get the deficit to single deficits the rest of the way.

Cal State L.A. will return home and host Cal State East Bay next Friday, Jan. 31, at 5:30 p.m.