CHICO -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team hung around, but just couldn't quite get over the hump against the California Collegiate Athletic Association leaders.

The Golden Eagles stayed within striking distance until the end of a 76-66 loss to Chico State Friday night in Acker Gym. Cal State LA (7-6, 3-5 CCAA) lost its third straight game, all against three of the top teams in the conference. Chico State (9-2, 6-1 CCAA) maintained its one-half game lead in a tightly-bunched conference race.

Garrett Carter had a team-high 21 points for the Golden Eagles and was 5-of-11 from 3-point range. Jalyn Pennie added 14 points and seven rebounds. Devin Means had 10 points.

Corey Silverstrom had 21 points to lead Chico State, while Jake McFerren had 13 points.

Cal State LA shot 42.3 percent (22-of-52), while Chico State shot an efficient 53.1 percent (26-of-49). The Golden Eagles were 8-of-19 from 3-point range, while the Wildcats were 9-of-22. Cal State LA struggled a bit from the free-throw line, hitting 14-of-25, while Chico State was 15-of-21. Chico State had a 33-26 rebounding edge, while Cal State LA forced 18 turnovers and committed 15.

The Golden Eagles never led, but kept it close throughout. A dunk by Elliott Smith kept the Golden Eagles within 14-13 and a 3-pointer by Carter kept the Golden Eagles within 21-20 with 7:25 to go in the first half. The Golden Eagles still trailed by only two points, 24-22, but Chico State responded with a 12-4 run to take a double-digit lead and settled for a 38-30 halftime lead.

Carter opened the second half with a 3-pointer to make it 38-33 and another Carter 3-pointer made it 57-51 with 7:48 to go. Means scored five straight points to get the Golden Eagles within 64-58 with 3:30 to go and another 3-pointer by Means made it 67-61 with 2:08 to go. Carter hit another 3-pointer to make it 69-65 with 1:50 to go, but that's as close as the Golden Eagles could get.

Cal State LA will return to action on Sunday with a road game at Humboldt State at 3 p.m.