LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team returned from its break and got a much-needed home victory Saturday in University Gym.

The Golden Eagles, who last played in a disappointing loss to Cal State Dominguez Hills on Dec. 19, got back on the winning track with a 63-56 victory over Cal State San Marcos in a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest. Cal State LA (8-4, 4-2 CCAA) led by as many as 14 points in the second half, but never could shake free of Cal State San Marcos (3-9, 0-6 CCAA). The Cougars got to within three points at 56-53 with 1:27 to go, but Fard Muhammad hit a clutch 3-pointer to give the Golden Eagles some breathing room.

Shacquille Dawkins had a team-high 13 points to lead the Golden Eagles, while Muhammad finished with 11 points. Anthony Fitzpatrick had nine points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Darae Elliott had 15 points and seven rebounds to lead Cal State San Marcos. Bryce Sloan had 14 points and six assists and Dalton Soffer had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Jordan Rogers had nine points and Brandon Hitchman had eight points for Cal State LA.

Cal State LA shot just 39.3 percent for the game (22-of-56) and made just 10-of-30 from 3-point range. Cal State San Marcos shot 36.7 percent (22-of-60) and made 7-of-18 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were an efficient 9-of-12 from the free-throw line, while the Cougars were just 5-of-14.

Cal State San Marcos held a 41-37 rebounding edge, while Cal State LA forced 16 turnovers and committed 13.

The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as six points early in the contest, 10-4, but a 3-pointer by Dawkins and a layup by Miles Ford capped a 12-4 run that Cal State LA ahead, 16-14. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Hitchman and Rogers gave the Golden Eagles their biggest lead of the first half, 26-17, but the Cougars sliced the deficit to four points, 28-24, by halftime.

A layup by Rogers and a 3-pointer by Muhammad opened the second half for the Golden Eagles and Cal State LA extended its lead to 14 points, 48-34, after a 3-pointer by Miles with 12 minutes to go. The Cougars responded by scoring the next eight points before a layup by Muhammad and a 3-pointer by Rogers boosted the lead back to 53-44.

The Golden Eagles saw that advantage trimmed to 56-53 before Muhammad's big 3-pointer. Two free throws each by Fitzpatrick and Devin Means helped the Golden Eagles preserve their lead.

Cal State LA will return to action with a home game against UC San Diego on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.