Game ReplayLOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team saw its offensive struggles continue Saturday against another of the California Collegiate Athletic Association's top contenders.
The Golden Eagles, for the second night in a row, saw the game get away from them in the second half and fell to Chico State, 62-46, Saturday night in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (2-3, 1-2 CCAA) had similar results on Friday when it trailed by just one point at halftime to Cal State Stanislaus before come up short in the final 20 minutes.
Cal State L.A. shot just 39 percent for the game (16-of-41) and was just 4-of-12 from behind the arc. Chico State (5-2, 2-0 CCAA) shot 44.2 percent (19-of-43) and was 6-of-18 from behind the arc. The Wildcats also earned twice as many free throws as the Golden Eagles and were 18-of-28 from the line while Cal State L.A. was 10-of-14.
LaBradford Franklin had nine points and two assists for the Golden Eagles, while
Joshua Munzon also had nine points.
Xavier Jones had eight points and seven rebounds and hit all three of his field-goal attempts and both of his free throws.
Jordan Semple had 22 points and seven rebounds for Chico State, while Robert Duncan had 11 points.
Chico State dominated on the glass, holding a 35-23 rebounding edge, including 15 offensive rebounds.
The Golden Eagles started well and scored the first eight points of the game. Jones scored a pair of early baskets,
Aaron Alston hit a jumper and
David Hall made a layup. The Golden Eagles grabbed their biggest lead at 15-5 after a pair of free throws by Hall just nine minutes into the game.
The Wildcats, though, went on a 13-0 run to grab an 18-15 lead before a pair of free throws by Munzon and a 3-pointer by Alston made it 20-18. The Golden Eagles took a 21-20 lead after a free throw by Alston, but a free throw by Semple and two free throws by Jalen McFerren gave the Wildcats a 23-21 halftime lead.
A jumper by Munzon to open the second half tied it and a layup by Munzon gave the Golden Eagles their last lead of the game at 25-24, but a pair of free throws by Semple and a 3-pointer by Duncan gave the Wildcats a 31-27 lead and they never trailed again.
Semple gave the Wildcats a 54-39 lead with four minutes to play before a lane violation erased a missed free throw and gave Jones a second chance to make two free throws and an ill-advised flagrant foul by Semple after a steal and layup by Franklin gave the Golden Eagles a chance, trailing 54-44 with the ball and 2:28 to go.
The Golden Eagles came up empty on that possession, though, and a dunk by Jordan Barton sealed the game at 56-44 with 1:08 to go. Mike Rosaroso hit four free throws in the final minute to extend the margin before a layup by
Dushon Carter ended the scoring.
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Cal State Dominguez Hills at 5 p.m.
