SAN MARCOS -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team was able to make another amazing second-half comeback only to have it come up short in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game at Cal State San Marcos.

The Golden Eagles sliced a 15-point deficit down to two points, but the Cougars hung on for a 73-71 conference win Saturday in The Sports Center. Cal State LA (6-8, 2-4 CCAA) lost its third straight game - all on the road - and fell in heartbreaking fashion for the second time in those three games. The Golden Eagles erased all of a 20-point deficit only to lose on a pair of free throws with one second left at Cal State East Bay and they got a crucial stop and had a pair of chances at a game-tying basket in the waning seconds on Saturday.

Jordan Wilson had a spectacular performance, pouring in a game-high 26 points and fueling the second-half surge. Travis Hammonds had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Geoffrey Frid had nine points and four rebounds. Tyson Kygar had 18 points to lead four Cal State San Marcos (8-5, 3-3 CCAA) players in double figures. Josh Spiers had 13 points, while Brian Wright and Ethan Alvaro had 12 points each.

Cal State LA was 24-of-52 from the field, including 12-of-28 from 3-point range. Cal State San Marcos was 25-of-52 and hit 7-of-14 from 3-point range. Cal State LA was 11-of-18 from the free-throw line, while Cal State San Marcos was 16-of-21. Cal State LA was on the short end of a 31-28 rebounding count and committed 14 turnovers to 15

The Golden Eagles trailed for most of the first half, but a 3-pointer by Hammonds gave them a brief 30-28 lead and a free throw by Frid in the final second made it 31-31 at halftime.

Cal State LA started the second half slowly and the Golden Eagles found themselves down, 60-45, with 11:39 to go. Wilson, though, scored five straight points to get the comeback started. Back-to-back baskets by Frid and a basket by Roderick Evans-Taylor got the margin to 65-58 with seven minutes to play and a 3-pointer by Wilson followed by three free throws from Wilson made it 67-64 with 5:50 to go. After the Cougars scored to make it 69-64, Hammonds made a layup to make it 69-66 and he later hit a 3-pointer to bring the Golden Eagles to within two points at 71-69.

A pair of free throws by Wilson made it 73-71 with 44 seconds remaining and, after a rebound by Hammonds with 14 seconds left, the Golden Eagles had a shot blocked and then had one final attempt miss before the final buzzer.

Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 5 with a home game against San Francisco State at 7:30 p.m.