LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's Garrett Carter saved his best for last Monday night to lead the Golden Eagles to a thrilling win in their home opener.

Carter knocked down a go-ahead 3-pointer with eight seconds left to lead Cal State LA to a 77-75 win over Dixie State in University Gym. Cal State LA (2-1) rallied from a seven-point deficit in the final four minutes with Carter scoring eight of the Golden Eagles' 11 points down the stretch.

Carter had a game-high 16 points to lead three Golden Eagles in double figures. Jihad Woods had 14 points and Elliott Smith had 13 points.

Dixie State (1-2) got 13 points each from Trevor Hill and Quincy Matthews and 12 points from Isaiah Clark.

Cal State LA shot 48.2 percent (27-of-56) for the game, including 50 percent (13-of-26) in the second half. Dixie State shot 50.8 percent (30-of-59). Cal State LA was 9-of-25 from 3-point range and 14-of-23 from the free-throw line, while Dixie State was 6-of-16 from 3-point range and 9-of-15 from the free-throw line.

Dixie State owned a 43-28 rebounding edge, although the Golden Eagles forced 15 turnovers while committing only seven.

The Golden Eagles trailed for most of the game, but kept within striking range throughout. Dixie State led by as many as nine points in the first half, but Cal State LA fought back and took a 40-39 halftime lead on a late 3-pointer by Carter.

Dixie State started the second half strongly and scored the first six points of the period. The Trailblazers led by as many as eight points and still had a 73-66 edge with four minutes to play after a basket by Matthews.

Carter, though, scored the next five points for the Golden Eagles to draw them within 73-71 and Jalyn Pennie hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 73-73 with one minute left. After Trevor Hill gave Dixie State the lead on a nice move and jumper with 33 seconds to go, Carter hit the game-winning 3-pointer a few seconds after a Cal State LA timeout.

Jihad Woods made one of two free throws with a little more than one second left to account for the final margin.

Cal State LA will now open California Collegiate Athletic Association play on Friday with a home game against Cal State Monterey Bay.