CHICO -- Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team used a different formula Friday night to pick up an important California Collegiate Athletic Association win at Chico State.
 
The Golden Eagles, who had relied on some hot 3-point shooting in recent games, struggled from behind the arc on Friday so they moved to the inside and posted a 71-64 victory over the Wildcats in Acker Gym. Cal State L.A. (9-8, 8-5 CCAA) completed a rare regular-season sweep over traditional conference power Chico State and won for the sixth time in the last seven games.

Kiah Knox had her best game of the season with 23 points and seven rebounds to lead the way. Knox was 6-of-9 from the floor and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. Bree Parsons also had a strong game with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Aiwekhoe Okungbowa added 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

All five starters scored in double figures for Chico State (7-10, 4-9 CCAA). Brooke Bowen led the way with 13 points, Annie Ward had 12 points and Whitney Branham, Hannah Womack and Michelle Walker scored 10 points each.

Cal State L.A. enjoyed a significant 41-26 rebounding edge.

The Golden Eagles shot 49.1 percent for the game (26-of-53) even though they made only 2-of-17 attempts from behind the 3-point arc. Chico State was 25-of-61 (41 percent) and made 10-of-26 from behind the arc. The Golden Eagles were 17-of-22 from the free-throw line, while the Wildcats were just 4-of-9.

Franeka Hall had eight points, while Chiara DiMarco had six points and seven assists for the Golden Eagles.

The game was close throughout and neither team was able to build a lead larger than nine points. Cal State L.A. never trailed by more than four points and took the lead for good early in the second half.

Chico State built a 25-21 first-half lead, but Cal State L.A. erased that with a 10-0 run. Kaija Powell made a steal and layup to make it 25-23 and a Knox layup tied it up at 25-25. Knox then converted a three-point play and Parsons hit a 3-pointer to give the Golden Eagles a 31-25 lead. Chico State countered with a 12-3 run, but a free throw by Knox and two free throws by Shanice Jackson tied it at 37-37 at halftime.

The Wildcats took their final lead at 41-39 early in the second half, but two free throws by Knox and an offensive rebound basket by Okungbowa put the Golden Eagles ahead, 43-41. Ali Orlich then scored to make it 45-41.

Although Cal State L.A. led the rest of the way, Chico State stayed close until the end. The Golden Eagles had just a 63-61 lead before a three-point play by Knox, a jumper by DiMarco and two free throws by Knox sparked a 7-0 run that gave them some breathing room with a 70-61 lead with 3:15 to go.

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday night with a road game at Cal State Stanislaus.