CHICO -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team made a strong run late in the first half against No. 21 Chico State, but the Golden Eagles were unable to keep up the pace in the second half.
The Golden Eagles trimmed a 12-point deficit to four points by halftime and pulled to within two points early in the second half, but the Wildcats responded in a big way and went on to a 73-55 California Collegiate Athletic Association victory in Acker Gym. Cal State LA (2-9, 1-3 CCAA) had its two-game winning streak snapped by Chico State (10-2, 4-1 CCAA).
Cal State LA stormed back from a 32-20 deficit to make it 32-28 by halftime and crept to within 35-33 with 18 minutes to go. Chico State, though, responded with a 10-1 run to take a 45-34 lead and steadily pulled away.
Duce Zaid had 14 points to lead the Golden Eagles in scoring, while
Joshua Munzon had 12 points.
Andre McPhail had seven points and five rebounds, while
Collin Johnson,
Geoffrey Frid and
Jonathan Davis had six points each.
Corey Silverstrom had 18 points to lead four Chico State players in double figures. Tanner Giddings had 15 points and eight rebounds, Robert Duncan had 10 points and nine rebounds and Jaden McFerren had 10 points.
Cal State LA shot just 36.1 percent for the game (20-of-55) and made only eight of 30 attempts in the second half. Chico State shot 47.1 percent (24-of-51) and made 11-of-20 attempts in the second half.
The Wildcats knocked down 10-of-24 attempts from 3-point range, while the Golden Eagles were just 2-of-8. Cal State LA was 13-of-18 from the free-throw line, while Chico State was 15-of-21.
Rebounding was a big issue and Cal State LA was outrebounded, 41-26. The Golden Eagles committed nine turnovers to 15 for the Wildcats.
Cal State LA fell behind early and never led. The Golden Eagles trailed 32-20, but got a basket by Munzon, two free throws by McPhail, a free throw by
Justin Snavely and a 3-pointer by Zaid to make it 32-28 at halftime.
The Golden Eagles surrendered the first three points of the second half, but a basket by Johnson and a 3-pointer by Munzon got the Golden Eagles to within 35-33 with 18 minutes to go.
Joel Brokenbrough hit a free throw to keep the Golden Eagles within 37-34 with 17 minutes to play, but Chico State scored the next eight points as part of a 14-3 run and never looked back.
Cal State LA will return to action on New Year's Day at Stanislaus State in a game scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.
