LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team was its own worst enemy Friday night in a California Collegiate Athletic Association loss to UC San Diego.
 
The Golden Eagles were an unsightly 8-of-22 from the free-throw line while dropping a 67-56 decision to the Tritons in the Eagles Nest. The struggles at the line were too much for the Golden Eagles to overcome, despite shooting 46.8 percent for the game and 53.8 percent in the second half.
 
LaBradford Franklin had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists to lead Cal State L.A. (6-7, 4-5 CCAA). Aaron Alston had 10 points and four rebounds and David Hall had nine points and six rebounds.
 
Aleks Lipovic had 15 points on five 3-pointers to lead UC San Diego, while Adam Klie had 13 points and six rebounds and Hunter Walker had 11 points and four assists.
 
UC San Diego (8-5, 6-3 CCAA) did an admirable job against Cal State L.A.'s pressuring defense and committed only seven turnovers in the game. The Golden Eagles committed 12.
 
Cal State L.A. finished the game 22-of-47 from the floor (46.8 percent), while UC San Diego was 21-of-47 (44.7 percent). The Tritons, though, were 9-of-20 from 3-point range, while the Golden Eagles were 4-of-13 and UC San Diego was 16-of-23 from the free-throw line, while Cal State L.A. was 8-of-22.
 
Cal State L.A. had a 35-30 rebounding edge.
 
Neither team could generate much offense in a first half that ended with UC San Diego holding a 24-20 lead. Cal State L.A.'s only lead came on Hall's opening basket of the game. The game was tied for a final time at 18-18 after an offensive rebound and basket by Xavier Jones.
 
A 3-pointer by Joshua Munzon brought the Golden Eagles to within 30-28 with 15 minutes to go, but UC San Diego went on a game-breaking 21-6 run to open up a 49-36 edge with 6:55 to go. UC San Diego got its biggest lead at 59-43 with 3:10 to go and Cal State L.A. couldn't get any closer than 11 the rest of the way.
 
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Cal Poly Pomona.