LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team came up just short Thursday night after another impressive second-half comeback.

The Golden Eagles erased a 17-point first-half deficit and saw a potential game-winning 3-pointer wiped out by traveling in a hard-fought 73-72 loss to San Francisco State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in University Gym. Cal State LA (5-4, 1-3 CCAA) had a tough night at the free-throw line and was only 5-of-14 in the second half while trying to make its comeback.

Michael-Isaiah Ajiboye led three Golden Eagles in double figures with 19 points, while Shacquille Dawkins had 15 points and five assists. Fard Muhammad had 12 points and four assists.

Linton Acliese had 18 points and 11 rebounds for San Francisco State (5-4, 2-1 CCAA), while Zane Paddon had 12 points.

Ja'Sean Lewis and Khalil Williams had eight points each for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA shot 48.1 percent for the game (25-of-52) and was 10-of-31 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were just 12-of-24 from the free-throw line. San Francisco State shot 53.6 percent for the game (30-of-56) and was 7-of-20 from 3-point range. The Gators were just 6-of-16 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA committed 12 turnovers to just 16 for the Gators.

The Golden Eagles trailed 41-24 with 1:41 to go in the half, but got the margin down to 11 points at 43-32 after eight quick points from Ajiboye to end the period.

Cal State LA still trailed 66-53 in the second half, but steadily chipped away. A 3-pointer by Lewis started the surge, a pair of free throws and a layup by Muhammad cut it to 66-60 and a 3-pointer by Lewis made it 63-58. A layup by Dawkins cut it to 70-69 with 2:14 to go and a 3-pointer by Muhammad tied it at 72-72 with 36 seconds left. After San Francisco State took a 73-72 lead following a made free throw by Acliese, Muhammad rebounded a miss and got the ball to Williams, who made a 3-pointer at the buzzer that was waved off by a traveling call.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a road game at Stanislaus State.