LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball couldn't overcome a slow start Sunday night against UC San Diego.

The short-handed Golden Eagles allowed the first nine points of the game and never recovered in an 81-73 loss to the Tritons in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in University Gym. Cal State LA (7-4, 3-3 CCAA) lost for the first time at home this season. The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 19 points and made a game of it in the second half thanks to a spirited rally that came up short.

Garrett Carter led four Golden Eagles in double figures with 19 points, while Sequan Walker scored 14 points. Walker was 3-for-3 from 3-point range. Jihad Woods had 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Khalil Williams had 11 points and six rebounds.

Christian Bayne also had 19 points to lead four Tritons in double figures. UC San Diego (6-4, 3-1 CCAA) also got 14 points from Scott Everman, 12 points from Michael Shoemaker and 11 points from Christian Oshita.

There were a total of 50 fouls called in the game and Cal State LA was 25-of-39 from the line and UC San Diego was 25-of-32. UC San Diego shot 51.1 percent for the game (24-of-47) and was 8-of-27 from 3-point range. Cal State LA shot 35.5 percent (22-of-62) and was just 4-of-18 from 3-point range.

Cal State LA shot just 29 percent in the first half while falling into a 38-26 hole. The Golden Eagles pulled to within nine points, 67-58, after a layup by Carter with 3:56 to go, but the Golden Eagles couldn't get any closer until a 3-pointer by Carter with 1:52 to go made it 74-66. The Golden Eagles got as close as five points after two free throws from Kenneth Cyprian with 40 seconds left made it 76-71, but Baynes hit five of six free-throw attempts down the stretch to seal the game for the Tritons.

Cal State LA will return to action on Tuesday with a home game against Cal State San Marcos at 7:30 p.m.