CHICO -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team has already developed a well-deserved reputation for continuing to battle even when the odds seem stacked against them, but the Golden Eagles might have out-done themselves on Saturday in Chico.
The Golden Eagles stormed back from a 22-point second-half deficit, sent the game into overtime with less than one second remaining on a basket by
Jordan Rogers and then won the game on a jumper by
Devin Means with 2.1 seconds remaining in a wild 92-90 victory over Chico State. Cal State LA was ranked eighth in the most recent West Region poll by D2SIDA entering the week and the thrilling victory keeps the Golden Eagles in the mix in a tight California Collegiate Athletic Association race.
In the process, the Golden Eagles snapped Chico State's 11-game home winning streak and handed the Wildcats their first loss in Acker Gym since Dec. 31, 2017,
Cal State LA (10-6, 6-4 CCAA) got a huge game from Means, who scored a career-high 27 points and was clutch down the stretch. Rogers and
Anthony Fitzpatrick had 12 points each, while
Jihad Woods and
Fard Muhammad scored 11 points each.
Nate Ambrosini and Malik Duffy had 16 points each for Chico State (5-6, 4-6 CCAA).
Kenneth Cyprian had nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from 3-point range for the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA was 26-of-66 from the floor (39.1 percent) and 8-of-23 from 3-point range, while Chico State was 28-of-58 (48.3 percent) and 9-of-22 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 32-of-41 from the free-throw line, while the Wildcats were 25-of-30. The Golden Eagles were out-rebounded, 42-32, but committed only eight turnovers to 18 for the Wildcats.
The Golden Eagles were able to turn things around on Saturday with an epic comeback. Cal State LA trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half and were down, 42-25, at halftime. The Golden Eagles then fell behind, 57-35, with 14:34 to go before fighting their way back.
The Golden Eagles got back into the contest with a 21-4 run and pulled to within 60-56 after a layup by Means. The Golden Eagles finally pulled even at 76-76 after a 3-pointer by Means with 51 seconds to go. After the Wildcats regained the lead, Rogers beat the buzzer with 0.7 seconds to spare to send the game into overtime.
The Golden Eagles fell behind by three points in overtime, 83-80, but surged to take a 90-87 lead after a free throw by Means and a tip-in by Lewis in the final minute. After Chico State tied it at 90-90, the Golden Eagles had one final possession and Means made it count with his game-winner with 2.1 seconds to go.
Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a home game against Cal State San Bernardino.