LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team didn't start well or finish well, but the in-between was good enough to produce an important California Collegiate Athletic Association victory.

The Golden Eagles surrendered the first 11 points of the game and were plagued by turnovers down the stretch, but still posted an 81-77 win Friday night in University Gym. Cal State LA (9-11, 5-10 CCAA) knocked down 13 attempts from 3-point range and was an impressive 20-of-23 from the free-throw line to get the win. Humboldt State (6-14, 3-11 CCAA) made only 18-of-34 from the free-throw line while coming up short in the contest.

Garrett Carter led the Golden Eagles with 24 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. He was 5-of-10 from 3-point range. He was one of four Golden Eagles in double figures. Kenneth Cyprian had 13 points and six rebounds, Jalyn Pennie had 13 points and a pair of blocks and Sean Estes had 12 points courtesy of four 3-pointers.

Justin Everett and Ashton Pomrehn had 15 points each for Humboldt State.

Jihad Woods had seven points and five rebounds for the Golden Eagles and Sequan Walker had six points.

Cal State LA shot 42.1 percent for the game (24-of-57) and was 13-of-30 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 20-of-23 from the free-throw line, including 14-of-16 in the second half. Humboldt State shot 44.8 percent (26-of-58) and was 7-of-26 from 3-point range. Humboldt State had a 42-33 rebounding edge and both teams committed 16 turnovers.

The win pulled the Golden Eagles into a tie for ninth place in the conference, two games back of eighth-place Cal State San Bernardino. Cal State LA had seven conference games remaining.

The Golden Eagles started slowly and dug themselves an 11-0 hole before a 3-pointer by Estes got them on the board. Cal State LA trailed 16-3 before stormed back with a 34-14 run over the final 13 minutes of the first half to take a 37-30 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles led by as many as 11 points in the second half and never trailed, but Humboldt State made things interesting down the stretch. The 'Jacks got to within two points several times down the stretch, but Cyprian hit a big 3-pointer to open up a 75-70 lead with 36 seconds to go and Carter and Cyprian combined to make six straight free throws in the final 29 seconds to preserve the lead.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Chico State.