LA JOLLA -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team put up quite a battle against first-place UC San Diego in a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest Saturday in RIMAC Arena.

The short-handed Golden Eagles led by as many as 10 points in the first half and were down by just one point with 3:49 to go and by just three points in the final minute before the Tritons prevailed, 82-72. Cal State LA (9-15, 7-11 CCAA) got spirited performances by the seven players who saw game action on Saturday.

Nicole Flennaugh had an outstanding game and poured in a season-high 30 points while also tying the Cal State LA single-game record for 3-pointers with eight that she and Sydney Bordonaro set earlier this season. She hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter that brought the Golden Eagles to within one point. Mackenzie Barnes had 11 points and eight rebounds and Yesenia Smith had nine points and three assists.

Julia Macabuhay had 30 points to lead UC San Diego (20-4, 16-3 CCAA), while Brianna Claros and Sydney Brown had 14 points each.

Jo Ana Adams had eight points, while Rachael DiRegolo had seven points, three rebounds and two blocks and Alyssa Fisher had five points and six assists.

Cal State LA shot 45.6 percent for the game (26-of-57) and was 10-of-23 from 3-point range (43.5 percent). UC San Diego shot 43.1 percent (28-of-65) and was 13-of-32 from 3-point range (40.6 percent). The Golden Eagles were 10-of-13 from the free-throw line, while the Tritons were 13-of-14, including seven free throws in the final minute to account for the final margin in a game that was close throughout.

The Golden Eagles were 10-of-15 from the floor in the opening quarter and got off to a terrific start. Cal State LA took a 13-5 lead after a 3-pointer by Fisher and opened up a 17-8 lead after a basket by Smith. Cal State LA had to settle for a 24-20 lead after one period.

The Golden Eagles then took their biggest lead of the game, 32-22, after a 3-pointer by Flennaugh with six minutes left in the second quarter. UC San Diego, though, grabbed the lead with a 13-0 run before a basket by Barnes stopped the run and made it 35-34. The Tritons held a 39-34 lead at halftime.

Cal State LA made another run in the third quarter and pulled to within 45-43 after a 3-pointer by Flennaugh with 4:40 to go, but the Tritons pulled away for a 56-49 lead after three quarters.

Cal State LA closed to within one point, 69-68, after back-to-back 3-pointers by Flennaugh with 3:49 to go and two free throws by Adams made it 73-70 with a minute left.

Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a home game against Cal State San Bernardino.