CARSON -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team earned its gutsiest win of the season Thursday night in a thriller over Cal State Dominguez Hills.
A short-handed Golden Eagle team got a game-winning basket by
Khalil Williams with five seconds remaining in a 66-65 victory over the Toros in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in the Torodome. Cal State LA (8-4, 3-3 CCAA) had only seven players see time on the court and two fouled out before it was over. The perseverance and grit displayed by the Golden Eagles throughout the game made it only fitting that they won the game on a sensational effort by Williams.
With the Golden Eagles trailing, 65-64, and time running down, Williams drove the lane and had his shot blocked. He hustled, though, to track down the rebound and, despite being seemingly trapped by a pair of defenders, powered his way up to bank in the winning shot with five seconds remaining. Cal State LA then played great defense with the game on the line and a last-gasp effort by the Toros was denied.
Williams had a game-high 18 points for the Golden Eagles, while
Ja'Sean Lewis had 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
CJ Fisher had 12 points and four rebounds.
Wonder Smith had 14 points and six rebounds for Cal State Dominguez Hills (7-5, 3-3 CCAA).
Michael Wright had eight points, four rebounds and three assists, while
Michael-Isaiah Ajiboye had seven points.
It was a hard-fought battle throughout and neither team could build a double-digit lead. Cal State LA got a clutch 3-point basket from
Michael Wright at the halftime buzzer to take a 30-29 lead at the break.
Sean Estes hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 53-53 and the Golden Eagles remaining within striking distance until the final buzzer. The Golden Eagles trailed, 64-59, with 1:54 remaining, but a layup by Lewis made it 64-61 and a 3-pointer from the corner by Fisher tied it with 50 seconds remaining. Cal State Dominguez Hills took a one-point lead on a free-throw with 21.5 seconds left, only to see Williams make the game-winning play.
Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Sonoma State at 3 p.m.
