SAN FRANCISCO -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team found itself in a big hole at halftime for the second straight night and once again saw a second-half rally come up short.
The Golden Eagles allowed the first 11 points of the game and never recovered in a 69-60 loss to San Francisco State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in Main Gym. Cal State L.A. (7-9, 5-7 CCAA) dropped both road games this weekend after last week's win over Cal Poly Pomona. San Francisco State (8-8, 6-6 CCAA) won both of its games this weekend and pulled ahead of the Golden Eagles in the CCAA standings. The Gators are in a four-way tie for fifth place in the conference with Humboldt State, Sonoma State and Cal State San Bernardino, while the Golden Eagles trail that pack by one game.
Joel Brokenbrough had a strong game for the Golden Eagles and scored 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
David Hall also had a good game with 14 points, while
LaBradford Franklin had 11 points.
Udun Osakue had a game-high 22 points for the Gators, while Derrick Brown had 20 points, including a back-breaking 3-pointer with 1:40 to go.
Cal State L.A. shot 42.9 percent for the game (21-of-49) and made only eight field-goals in the first half while falling behind, 34-21, at halftime. San Francisco State shot 51.1 percent (24-of-47). The Golden Eagles struggled from 3-point range and made only 3-of-13 attempts, while the Gators were 7-of-16. The Golden Eagles were 15-of-18 from the free-throw line, while the Gators were 14-of-17.
The Golden Eagles lost the battle of the boards, 32-23, but committed only 11 turnovers to 15 for the Gators.
Cal State L.A. got out of the gates slowly and San Francisco State jumped out to an 11-0 lead. The Golden Eagles finally got on the board on a three-point play by Hall, but the Gators continued their strong start and opened up a 16-3 lead. A 3-pointer by Franklin pulled the Golden Eagles to within 22-15 and a jumper by
Dushon Carter kept the Golden Eagles within 30-21 before the Gators scored the final four points of the half to take a 34-21 halftime lead.
The Golden Eagles still trailed, 44-33, before a pair of free throws by Hall, two free throws by Brokenbrough and a 3-pointer by Franklin cut the margin to just four points, 44-40. San Francisco State, though, responded with five straight points to bump the lead back to nine points.
Cal State L.A. was able to stay within striking range, but couldn't get closer than five points until a three-point play by Brokenbrough made it 60-56 with 3:32 to go. A jumper by Brokenbrough made it 63-58, but Brown hit a 3-pointer on San Francisco State's next possession gave the Gators a 66-58 lead with 1:40 remaining.
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Friday with a road game at one of the conference's tri-leaders, Chico State.
