PORTLAND -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team had another stirring comeback in it on Saturday, only this one came up just short.

One day after climbing all the way back from a 22-point deficit to stun host Concordia-Portland, the Golden Eagles staged a big rally from a 16-point deficit only to see Northwest Nazarene hold on for a 71-68 win. Cal State LA (3-2) trailed, 67-51, with 5:44 to go, but roared back to trail by just one, 69-68, in the final 29 seconds. Northwest Nazarene, though, hit two clutch free throws to restore a three-point lead and the Golden Eagles were unable to tie it at the end.

Fard Muhammad led three Golden Eagles in double figures with 17 points, while Miles Ford had 11 points and Jordan Rogers finished with 10.

Obi Megwa had 20 points to lead Northwest Nazarene (3-0).

Jihad Woods and Simon Okolue had eight points each for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA shot just 38.1 percent for the game (24-of-63), while Northwest Nazarene shot 49.2 percent (30-of-61). The Golden Eagles were 9-of-29 from 3-point range, while the Nighthawks were 5-of-20. Cal State LA was 11-of-12 from the free-throw line, while Northwest Nazarene was 6-of-12. Northwest Nazarene had a 38-36 rebounding edge and both teams had 16 turnovers.

For the fourth time in five games, the Golden Eagles staged a remarkable second-half rally.

Cal State LA had control for most of the first half and had a 26-16 lead midway through the period. Northwest Nazarene, though, scored the last 18 points of the half to take a 34-26 halftime lead.

Northwest Nazarene extended its lead to 67-51 on a 3-pointer by Sam Roth with 5:44 to, but the Golden Eagles then began their rally. Ja'Sean Lewis countered Roth's 3-pointer with one of his own second later and Rogers converted a three-point play to make it a 10-point margin at 67-57.

Rogers then hit a 3-pointer and, after Northwest Nazarene scored to make it 69-60, another 3-pointer by Rogers after Devin Means stole an inbounds pass and three free throws by Muhammad made it 69-66 with 1:13 remaining. Woods scored on a jumper in the lane with 29 seconds to go to make it 69-68, but that's as close as the Golden Eagles would get.

Cal State LA will return to action next Saturday in its California Collegiate Athletic Association opener against Stanislaus State at 3 p.m. in University Gym.