LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team got a good finish Saturday to complete an important California Collegiate Athletic Association win over Humboldt State.
The Golden Eagles had five players reach double figures in an exciting 81-74 win over the Lumberjacks Saturday in University Gym. Cal State LA (10-8, 5-7 CCAA) trailed, 72-69, with 3:29 to go, but closed the game on a 12-2 run to pick up the big victory. Cal State LA (10-8, 5-7 CCAA) remains in a three-way tie with Cal State Dominguez Hills and San Francisco State for seventh in the conference.
Shacquille Dawkins led the way with 17 points, including some crucial points down the stretch to secure the win.
Michael-Isaiah Ajiboye had 12 points, while
Fard Muhammad,
Michael Wright and
Sean Estes had 10 points each.
Isaiah Pope had a game-high 19 points for Humboldt State (7-10, 3-9 CCAA), while Jackson Strong had 17 points.
Ja'Sean Lewis had eight points and nine rebounds for the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA shot 47.5 percent for the game (29-of-61), including 58.6 percent in the first half (17-of-29). The Lumberjacks shot 42.1 percent for the game (24-of-57) and were 10-of-20 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 10-of-27 from 3-point range. Cal State LA was 13-of-15 from the free-throw line, while Humboldt State was 16-of-24.
Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 38-27, but forced 13 turnovers while committing just seven.
The Golden Eagles surrendered the first five points of the game, but moved into an 8-8 tie after a 3-pointer by Estes. The Golden Eagles then trailed until Dawkins hit a 3-pointer and a layup and Wright scored to give the Golden Eagles a 43-40 halftime lead.
A 3-pointer by Lewis opened the second half and gave the Golden Eagles a 46-40 lead, but Humboldt State regrouped and held a 69-64 lead before a 3-pointer by Dawkins and a pair of free throws by Williams tied it with 4:50 to go. The Golden Eagles trailed, 72-69, with 3:29 to play, but a Williams layup and a Lewis dunk put them ahead. A layup by Dawkins and a 3-pointer by Dawkins completed a 9-0 run that made it 78-72 with just 21 seconds to go.
Cal State LA will return to action next Saturday with a road game at Chico State.
