LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team came up on the short end of a combative and exciting game with crosstown rival Cal State Dominguez Hills Wednesday night in University Gym.

The Golden Eagles led by as many as 13 points in the first half, fell behind in the second half and then saw a late comeback bid come up painfully short in a 89-86 loss to the Toros in a California Collegiate Athletic Association. Cal State LA (7-4, 3-2 CCAA) has lost four games this season by a total of eight points.

Shacquille Dawkins had a season-high 25 points in a spectacular performance for the Golden Eagles. He was 9-of-15 overall and 3-of-6 from 3-point range.

The Golden Eagles had five players score in double figures. Devin Means had 15 points and six rebounds, Anthony Fitzpatrick had 11 points, eight rebounds and four steals, Ja'Sean Lewis had another double-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks and Fard Muhammad had 10 points and three steals.

Colten Kresl had 21 points to lead five players in double figures for Cal State Dominguez Hills (4-4, 2-1 CCAA). Alex Garcia had 19 points and combined with Kresl to go 10-of-15 from 3-point range.

Miles Ford had nine points for the Golden Eagles.

Shooting was the difference in a fierce contest that included four technical fouls and some physical play. Cal State LA shot just 36.9 percent (31-of-84), while Cal State Dominguez Hills shot 53.3 percent (32-of-60). The Golden Eagles were just 8-of-34 from 3-point range, while the Toros were 12-of-21.Cal State LA also struggled from the free-throw line, missing 11 of 27 attempts (59.3 percent), while the Toros were 13-of-18 (72.2 percent).

Cal State LA had a 44-38 rebounding edge and forced 25 turnovers while committing just 13.

The Golden Eagles started well and opened up a 32-19 lead after a pair of free throws by Means, but the Toros went on a 17-3 run before a late layup by Means gave the Golden Eagles a 37-36 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles fell behind by seven points early in the second half, but took advantage of an ill-advised technical foul and got a pair of free throws by Means and five straight points by Dawkins to tie it up. A layup by Dawkins gave the Golden Eagles their last lead, 82-79, with 4:29 to go. A dunk by Fitzpatrick tied it at 84-84 with 50 seconds to go, but Cal State Dominguez Hills scored the next four points and hung on for the win. A layup by Muhammad made it 88-86 and, after David Howard hit one free throw for the Toros with eight seconds to go, the Golden Eagles were unable to get off a final shot before the buzzer.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 29, with a home game against Cal State San Marcos at 3 p.m.