LONG BEACH -- Cal State LA's men's basketball competed well in an exhibition contest against NCAA Division I Long Beach State Saturday in the Pyramid.

The Golden Eagles battled hard, but fell short to the Beach, 76-60, in a non-conference game that counted for Long Beach State (5-11).

Cal State LA trailed by 16 points at halftime, 42-26, and fell behind by as many as 21 points in the second half before slicing the deficit to 12 points with three minutes to go. Long Beach State scored the final four points in the final minute to account for the final margin.

Cal State LA (9-5) got a team-high 15 points from Michael-Isaiah Ajiboye, who also had seven rebounds and two assists. Khalil Williams had 13 points and 12 rebounds and four steals.

Colin Slater had 18 points to lead three players in double figures for the Beach. Michael Carter III had 14 points and 15 rebounds.

Sean Estes had nine points on the strength of three 3-pointers for the Golden Eagles and Jordan Rogers had eight points and three rebounds in his return to the court.

Cal State LA struggled from the perimeter against a stout Long Beach State defense. The Golden Eagles were just 7-of-35 from 3-point range (20 percent) and just 22-of-67 (32.8 percent) overall. Long Beach State shot 37.9 percent for the game (25-of-66) and was just 7-of-25 from 3-point range.

Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 52-40, and committed 19 turnovers to 20 for the Beach.


Cal State LA will return to California Collegiate Athletic Association action on Thursday with a road game at Cal Poly Pomona.