SAN FRANCISCO -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team had to endure a painful defeat Thursday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in San Francisco.

The Golden Eagles were unable to hold onto an 11-point second-half lead and fell to the Gators, 76-74 in a big California Collegiate Athletic Association game in Main Gym. Cal State LA (11-9, 7-7 CCAA) slipped one game back of San Francisco State (12-7, 8-6 CCAA) after dropping a second contest to the Gators this season.

The Golden Eagles held a 66-55 lead with 11:09 remaining before a 17-4 run by the Gators erased the gap. Cal State LA battled back twice from two-point deficits down the stretch, but the final two possessions ended with turnovers and San Francisco State hit 2-of-4 free throws in the final minute to break a 74-74 tie.

Fard Muhammad led the Golden Eagles with 17 points, while Jihad Woods had 16 points. Kenneth Cyprian and Shacquille Dawkins scored eight points each.

Jiday Ugabaja had a game-high 20 points for the Gators, while Ryne Williams had 14 points and seven rebounds.

Jordan Rogers, Miles Ford and Anthony Fitzpatrick had six points each for the Golden Eagles.

The Golden Eagles built double-digit leads in each half, but just couldn't hold off the Gators.

Cal State LA shot 43.3 percent (26-of-60) overall and 36.1 percent (13-of-36) from 3-point range, while San Francisco State shot 45 percent (27-of-60) overall and 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from 3-point range. Cal State LA was 9-of-16 from the free-throw line, while San Francisco State was 14-of-25. Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 41-34, and committed 14 turnovers to 16 for San Francisco State.

The Golden Eagles trailed early, but used a 10-0 run on baskets by Woods and Ford, a 3-pointer by Cyprian, a free throw by Ja'Sean Lewis and a dunk from  Woods to take an 18-10 advantage. Cal State LA took a 30-20 lead after a 3-pointer by Muhammad midway through the first half and, after the Gators surged to a 39-38 lead, two 3-pointers by Dawkins pushed the Golden Eagles ahead, 44-41. Cal State LA settled for a 45-43 halftime lead.

Muhammad and Rogers hit 3-pointers early in the second half to stake the Golden Eagles to a 54-45 lead and a 3-pointer by Muhammad and a layup by Cyprian gave the Golden Eagles a 61-50 lead. A 3-pointer by Lewis and layup by Dawkins gave Cal State LA a 66-55 lead with 11 minutes to go.

The Golden Eagles, though, were hit by a 17-4 run that gave the Gators a 72-70 lead. A layup by Woods tied it at 72-72 and a pair of free throws by Muhammad tied it again at 74-74 with 1:20 remaining. Neither team scored a basket the rest of the way, but the Gators hit two of their four free throws to get the win.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a big game at Sonoma State at 3 p.m.