ARCATA -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team couldn't have asked for a better start, but the Golden Eagles certainly would have opted for a better finish.

The Golden Eagles raced out to a 27-11 lead in the first 10 minutes Saturday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game at Humboldt State, but wound up dropping a 74-64 decision in Lumberjack Arena. Cal State LA (0-8, 0-2 CCAA) saw its late sliced to three points by halftime and the Golden Eagles were eventually done in by a six-minute dry spell in the second half. Humboldt State (5-1, 1-1 CCAA) held the Golden Eagles without a basket during a stretch that saw the 'Jacks extend a 50-49 lead to 60-50 and Cal State LA was unable to recover down the stretch.

Duce Zaid had a season-high 23 points and eight rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Joshua Munzon and Geoffrey Frid had 10 points each. Andre McPhail had eight points and three rebounds.

Rakim Brown had 20 points to lead four Humboldt State players in double figures. Thomas Wetzel had 14 points, Malik Morgan had 13 points and Ethan Dillard had 10 points.

Cal State LA shot 40.3 percent (25-of-62), while Humboldt State shot 44.2 percent (23-of-52). The Golden Eagles were 5-of-16 from 3-point range, while the 'Jacks were 9-of-26. Cal State LA was 9-of-15 from the free-throw line, while Humboldt State was 19-of-25. Cal State LA had a 41-29 rebounding edge, but also committed 18 turnovers to 12 for the 'Jacks.

After allowing a 3-pointer to open the game, Cal State LA scored 17 straight points to take a 17-3 lead. A 3-pointer by Zaid started the run, a layup by Dushon Carter made it 5-3 and a three-point play by Frid made it 8-3. Layups by Munzon and Zaid, a basket by Frid and a 3-pointer by Zaid gave the Golden Eagles an early 14-point lead. Cal State LA took its biggest lead at 27-11 after back-to-back layups by McPhail and Munzon. A 3-pointer by Collin Johnson gave the Golden Eagles a 32-20 lead with 4:53 left in the half, but Humboldt State went on a 13-1 run to tie it. A layup by Zaid and two free throws by Johnson regained the lead for the Golden Eagles and Cal State LA settled for a 39-36 halftime lead.

The 'Jacks took an early lead in the second half, but a 3-pointer by Zaid gave the Golden Eagles a 46-44 lead with 17 minutes remaining. Humboldt State, though, scored the next six points and led for the rest of the game. Zaid hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 50-49 with 15:08 to go, but Cal State LA didn't make another basket until a layup by McPhail made it 60-52 with nine minutes left. A jumper by Zaid pulled the Golden Eagles to within 66-58 with 4:25 to go, but Humboldt State responded with six straight points to put the game out of reach.

Cal State LA will return to action on Monday, Dec. 14, with a home game against Northwest Nazarene at 7 p.m.