SAN MARCOS -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team certainly shot well enough to win on Thursday night in a California Collegiate Athletic Association battle at Cal State San Marcos, yet the Golden Eagles had to endure another tough defeat.

The Golden Eagles knocked down 15 attempts from 3-point range and shot 50 percent for the game, yet still came up painfully short in a 78-76 loss to the Cougars in The Sports Center. Cal State LA (11-12, 6-11 CCAA) has lost three straight games, including back-to-back two-point losses in games that hung in the balance to the end.\

Jordan Rogers had another outstanding game for the Golden Eagles, pouring in a team-high 19 points and making 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Fard Muhammad had 13 points, Michael Wright had 12 points and Michael-Isaiah Ajiboye had 10 points.

Blake Seits and Jayce McCain had 22 points each for Cal State San Marcos (12-12, 8-10 CCAA).

Ja'Sean Lewis had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Cal State LA remains in a tie for eighth place with Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State Monterey Bay with five games remaining. The top eight teams qualify for the CCAA Tournament.

Cal State LA shot well and made 50 percent of its shots (28-of-56). The Golden Eagles were even better from 3-point range, knocking down 15-of-29 (51.7 percent). The Cougars shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54) overall and were 9-of-22 from 3-point range. Cal State San Marcos had a big edge at the free-throw line, making 19-of-23, while the Golden Eagles were 5-of-8. Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 32-30, and committed 13 turnovers to 10 for the Cougars.

The Golden Eagles trailed at halftime, 42-39, and surrendered the opening basket of the second half before going on a 15-0 run to take the lead. A 3-pointer by Lewis started the run, a basket by Wright tied it and Rogers hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to make it 47-44. Ajiboye followed with a dunk and Rogers scored five consecutive points to give the Golden Eagles a 54-44 advantage.

The Golden Eagles, though, were outscored, 18-4, and the Cougars took a 62-58 advantage. Three consecutive 3-pointers fueled the run for Cal State San Marcos.

Cal State LA pulled to within one point after Ajiboye hit a 3-pointer, but Cal State San Marcos scored the next seven points and led the rest of the way. The Golden Eagles trailed, 69-61, before back-to-back 3-pointers by Rogers and Muhammad made it 69-67 with 4:20 to go. Again, though, the Cougars responded and built a 76-69 lead before a 3-pointer by Lewis made it 76-72 with 1:32 left. A layup by Wright got the Golden Eagles to within 76-74 with 33 seconds left, but turnovers by each team led to a pair of free throws by Cal State San Marcos in the final seconds. Wright got a steal and layup to make it 78-76, but Cal State San Marcos was able to hold on.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a road game at first-place UC San Diego at 8 p.m.