CHICO -- Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team almost erased another slow start with a stirring second-half rally that fell just short at Chico State.
The Golden Eagles fell behind by 17 points and made just five first-half baskets before heating up in the second half of an eventual 64-59 loss to the Wildcats Friday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in Acker Gym. The Golden Eagles hit seven 3-pointers in the second half and pulled to within one point in the final minute, but a couple missed free throws and missed opportunities after late offensive rebounds proved costly in the end. Chico State, meanwhile, hit all six of its free-throw attempts in the final 22 seconds and was 8-of-9 in the final minute.
Cal State L.A. (7-10, 5-8 CCAA) dropped its third straight game - all on the road - but fought back impressively after a slow start. Chico State (13-5, 10-3 CCAA) maintained its share of the CCAA lead with the narrow win.
Joel Brokenbrough had 13 points and six points, while
Chris Martin and
Joshua Munzon had 12 points each.
Andre McPhail had 10 points and five rebounds.
Robert Duncan had 12 points and Jordan Semple had 10 points for Chico State, which completed a season's sweep over the Golden Eagles, although in a much tougher contest on Friday.
It was clearly a tale of two halves for the Golden Eagles, who were just 5-of-22 in the first half, 0-for-4 from 3-point range and 11-of-14 from the free-throw line in the first period. In the second half, the Golden Eagles were 12-of-24 from the floor, including a sizzling 7-of-9 from behind the 3-point arc. The Golden Eagles, though, were just 7-of-13 from the line, while Chico State was 13-of-15 from the line in the second half and survived despite misfiring on all eight 3-point attempts in the final 20 minutes.
The Golden Eagles started slowly once again, although they were able to take a 6-4 lead after a pair of free throws by McPhail. A pair of free throws by
David Hall kept the margin at 15-10 before Chico State went on a 16-3 run that opened up a 30-13 lead. The Wildcats settled for a 33-21 halftime lead.
The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 14 points early in the second half before Munzon connected for their 3-pointer of the game. Another 3-pointer by Munzon followed a basket by
LaBradford Franklin and a free throw by Brokenbrough to close the gap to 38-32 with 14 minutes still to play. The Wildcats extended the lead back to 11 points, 44-33, before the Golden Eagles went on a 9-0 run to pull to within two points. Martin started the run with a free throw, Franklin hit a 3-pointer, Munzon made a steal and dunk and Franklin hit another 3-pointer to make it 44-42 with eight minutes to play.
A 3-pointer by Martin got the Golden Eagles to within one point, 48-47, with 5:25 to go and a basket by Brokenbrough kept the margin at one point, 50-49. Two free throws by McPhail made it 54-52 with 2:27 to go and a 3-pointer by Munzon brought the Golden Eagles to within one point again, 56-55, with 1:29 remaining.
Chico State scored the next four points at the free-throw line, but Martin hit a 3-pointer while being fouled with 13 seconds to go to make it 60-58. Chico State hit two more free throws before McPhail made one of two from the line to make it 62-59 with four seconds to go. The Wildcats hit two more free throws to account for the final points.
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday night with a road game at Cal State Stanislaus.
