PhotosLOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team had another one of its patented rallies Friday night in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game against Humboldt State.
The Golden Eagles continued a recent pattern of falling into double-digit holes and this time Cal State L.A. same up just short with its late comeback, falling to the 'Jacks, 70-69, in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (8-11, 6-9 CCAA) trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half and never could overtake Humboldt State (15-6, 9-6 CCAA).
Joel Brokenbrough had 17 points and five rebounds to lead the Golden Eagles, while
Andre McPhail had 12 points and five rebounds in a strong effort before fouling out.
Chris Martin had 11 points and three assists.
Allan Guel had a game-high 24 points to lead Humboldt State, while Austin Bryan had 17 points and Malik Morgan had 12 points.
Cal State L.A. had its chances to win, but struggled at the free-throw line. The Golden Eagles were just 16-of-28 from the line, including just 8-of-17 in the second half.
Cal State L.A. was efficient on offense and made 51 percent of its shots (25-of-49), including half of its six 3-point attempts. The Golden Eagles were a red-hot 68.2 percent in the second half (15-of-22). Humboldt State, the highest-scoring team in the CCAA, shot 44.1 percent (26-of-59) and was just 6-of-19 from 3-point range. The 'Jacks, though, were an effective 12-of-15 from the line, including 7-of-8 in the second half when the game was on the line.
The 'Jacks had a 36-32 rebounding edge and the Golden Eagles had more turnovers, 18-16.
The Golden Eagles struggled out the gates, but were still even at 9-9 almost eight minutes into the game. Humboldt State then scored the next 13 points to open up a 22-9 lead that grew to 35-20 with 2:15 remaining in the half.
Cal State L.A. climbed back into the game with a 3-pointer by
LaBradford Franklin, a pair of free throws by
Dushon Carter, a steal and layup by Franklin and a steal and layup by Munzon to key a 9-0 run to close the half and make it 35-29 at halftime.
The Golden Eagles got to within four points early in the second half after a basket by McPhail, but Humboldt State took a 12-point lead, 51-39, with 11 minutes to go.
Cal State L.A. still trailed by 10 points before starting a comeback that almost resulted in a win. McPhail hit a pair of free throws and scored in the paint, Martin scored on a jumper and
Xavier Jones scored inside to fuel an 8-0 run that made it 53-51 with 7:29 to go.
A jumper by Franklin made it 55-53 with 6:15 to go and the Golden Eagles got to within one point, 59-58, after a basket by Brokenbrough with 3:44 remaining.
A pair of free throws by
Joshua Munzon made it a one-point game, 61-60, with 2:23 to go, but Howard converted a three-point play to make it 64-60. After the Golden Eagles fell behind by five points, Munzon hit a 3-pointer to make it 66-64 with 46 seconds remaining. Guei, though, hit a tough jumper in the lane as the shot clock was expiring to put the 'Jacks up, 68-64, with 12 seconds left. A tip-in by Brokenbrough made it 68-66 with three seconds to go and a pair of free throws by Bryan sealed the win. Martin hit a running 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the game.
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday night with a home game against Cal State San Bernardino.
