LOS ANGELES – Cal State LA's men's basketball team gave a large Homecoming crowd something to cheer about Thursday night.
 
The Golden Eagles edged Cal State San Bernardino, 71-70, in a big California Collegiate Athletic Association game in the University Gym. Cal State LA (13-12, 8-8 CCAA) jumped into the fifth spot for the CCAA Championship Tournament, just one-half game ahead of three others, including Cal State San Bernardino (11-9, 7-8 CCAA).
 
Travis Hammonds had 16 points and eight rebounds and hit the a free throw with 11 seconds left that gave the Golden Eagles a 71-68 lead. Ramon Eaton tipped in a missed 3-point attempt by teammate Everett Turner in the waning seconds to make it a one-point game and Cal State LA was able to run out the clock at the end.
 
Roderick Evans-Taylor had 15 points and eight rebounds and hit a pair of free throws with 1:17 to go that gave the Golden Eagles a seemingly safe 70-62 lead. Cal State San Bernardino had other ideas and closed to within two points down the stretch.
 
Jordan Wilson had 15 points and two assists.
 
Khleem Perkins had 16 points to lead four Coyotes in double figures. Dorian Butler and Eaton had 14 points each and Turner finished with 12 points.
 
Devin Means and Miles Ford had nine points each for the Golden Eagles, while Geoffrey Frid had seven points and two blocks.
 
Cal State LA shot 48.1 percent (25-of-52) for the game and shot 56 percent in the second half (14-of-25). Cal State San Bernardino shot 43.1 percent (28-of-65) and made 5-of-22 from 3-point range. Cal State LA was 10-of-13 from the free-throw line, while Cal State San Bernardino was 9-of-15.
 
Cal State San Bernardino had a 34-33 rebounding edge, while Cal State LA committed 16 turnovers to 11 for the Coyotes.
 
The game was fast-paced throughout. Cal State LA opened up a 21-10 lead after a 3-pointer by Hammonds, only to see Cal State San Bernardino tie it at halftime at 30-30 following a late layup by Butler.
 
Cal State San Bernardino started the second half quickly and took its biggest lead, 43-34, after a three-point play by Eaton with 16:28 to play. Cal State LA, though, went on an 18-3 run capped by a 3-pointer by Hammonds to take a 52-46 lead. Means hit a 3-pointer to make it 63-53 with 6:29 to go and a 3-pointer by Wilson and layup by Ford made it 68-56 with just 4:43 remaining.
 
The Golden Eagles still looked to be in good shape when two free throws by Evans-Taylor made it 70-62 with just 1:17 to go. Turner, though, hit a 3-pointer and, after a Cal State LA turnover, Eaton completed a three-point play and suddenly it was 70-68 with 37 seconds to go. Evans-Taylor got an offensive rebound and Hammonds was fouled, setting up the big finish.
 
Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a home game against first-place UC San Diego.