Box Score ARCATA -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team was more than happy to work overtime for an important California Collegiate Athletic Association victory Thursday night over Humboldt State.

The Golden Eagles got several clutch plays down the stretch and beat the 'Jacks, 84-78, in overtime in Lumberjack Arena. Cal State L.A. (14-9, 11-8 CCAA) moved into fourth place in the CCAA, one-half game ahead of Cal State Stanislaus and San Francisco State. The Golden Eagles have three games remaining, while the Warriors and Gators have four games remaining.

Duce Zaid had a season-high 30 points to lead the Golden Eagles, while Quinton Watkins had 18 points and 10 rebounds and James Tillman had 15 points and a key block at the end of regulation.

David Howard had 25 points to lead Humboldt State (10-14, 5-13 CCAA) and Allan Guei had 16 points.

The Golden Eagles were efficient on offense and shot 50 percent for the game (24-of-48), while limiting Humboldt State to 36.1 percent shooting (22-of-61). The Golden Eagles were 4-of-10 from 3-point range, while the 'Jacks were 8-of-19. Cal State L.A. was 32-of-49 from the free-throw line, while Humboldt State was 26-of-33. The Golden Eagles were strong from the line in overtime, hitting 11-of-15, including 10-of-12 in the final 1:45 of overtime when Humboldt State fouled in an effort to catch up.

The Golden Eagles led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but Humboldt State rallied and took a two-point lead before Zaid scored on an offensive rebound and layup to tie it with 31 seconds to go. Tillman then made an exceptional defensive play, blocking an attempt by Guei to send the game into overtime.

Zaid then hit a go-ahead 3-pointer on the opening possession of the extra period and the Golden Eagles never relinquished the lead. Another key block, this one by Solomon Singer, allowed the Golden Eagles to extend a three-point lead to a five-point advantage and essentially put the game out of reach.

Cal State L.A. used an 11-0 run thanks to a basket by Aaron Alston, a basket by Tillman, two free throws by Zaid, a 3-pointer by Watkins and a tip-in by Alston to take an early 11-3 lead. Humboldt State, though, erased that lead and the game was tied at halftime, 35-35.

A three-point play by Tillman gave the Golden Eagles an early 46-36 lead in the second half and a three-point play by Singer gave the Golden Eagles their biggest lead of the game, 55-43. Humboldt State, though, took care of that deficit also and appeared poised to win the game when Zaid scored and Tillman made the key defensive stop to send the game into overtime.

Zaid scored Cal State L.A.'s first six points in overtime - 3 on a 3-pointer and three on a three-point play - to give the Golden Eagles a 72-68 edge. After the 'Jacks cut the lead to one point, Tillman scored on a put-back to push the lead to 74-71. Then, following Singer's block, Watkins hit a pair of free throws to make it 76-71. Joshua Munzon then came up with a big steal and Watkins was rewarded with two more free throws to make it 78-71. Zaid hit a pair of free throws to make it 80-72 and Munzon and Watkins hit free throws to make it 82-75 in the final seconds.

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday with a road game at first-place Cal Poly Pomona.