RIVERSIDE -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team was unable to find its groove Saturday against the No. 14 team in the country.
The Golden Eagles shot just 37.3 percent and were out-rebounded by a large margin in a 98-69 loss to host California Baptist in the Lancers Tip-Off Challenge. Cal State LA (1-1) trailed by 11 at halftime and was then outscored, 55-37, in the second half.
Jihad Woods had a productive game for the Golden Eagles, leading three players in double figures with 18 points and four rebounds.
Garrett Carter had 15 points and four rebounds and Elliott Smith had 13 points and six rebounds.
Gabe Taylor led five Lancers in double figures with 20 points. Cal Baptist (2-0) also got 18 points and nine rebounds from Kalidou Diouf, 16 points from Cory Lange, 14 points and eight rebounds from Jason Todd and 10 points and six rebounds from Ty Rowell.
Jayln Pennie had seven points and four rebounds and Sean Estes hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with six points.
Cal State LA was just 25-of-67 overall and 4-of-18 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were also 15-of-24 from the free-throw line. California Baptist, meanwhile, was 33-of-70 (47.1 percent) and hit 15 of 36 from 3-point range. The Lancers were also an efficient 17-of-19 from the free-throw line.
Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 53-31, and had seven assists on its 25 baskets. California Baptist had assists on 21 of its 33 made baskets.
Cal State LA only committed nine turnovers, while forcing 14.
A 3-pointer by Estes gave the Golden Eagles a 9-8 lead, but the Lancers responded with a 12-0 run to open up a 20-9 lead. The Golden Eagles sliced the lead down to six points, 22-16, after a three-point play by Pennie, a layup by Smith and a jumper by Khalil Williams and a layup by
Devin Means made it 27-21. A free throw by Means got the Golden Eagles to within five points, 30-25. Cal State LA trailed at halftime, 43-32.
The Golden Eagles got to within seven points, 50-43, after a three-point play by Woods and a layup by Smith kept the margin at 53-45, but the Lancers went on a 10-2 run and led by double-digit margins the rest of the way.
Cal State LA will return to action with its home opener on Monday against Dixie State at 5 p.m.
Â
