LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team got off to a strong start and held off a determined Cal State San Bernardino rally to pick up a big California Collegiate Athletic Association victory on Thursday night.

The Golden Eagles saw a 17-point lead whittled down to two points by the Coyotes, but hit some key free throws down the stretch to record a 73-63 victory in University Gym. Cal State LA (10-15, 8-11 CCAA) won its second straight home game while putting an end to a two-game losing streak.

Sydney Bordonaro returned after a one-game absence and led all scorers with 26 points. She hit two big 3-pointers to help quiet a big Cal State San Bernardino run in the fourth quarter. Mackenzie Barnes had 12 points and 12 rebounds and Yesenia Smith had nine points and six assists.

Kayla Bibb and Tehya Burroughs had 15 points each for Cal State San Bernardino (3-19, 3-16 CCAA).

Rachael DiRegolo had seven points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA shot 37.5 percent for the game (27-of-72) and hit 4-of-11 from 3-point range. Bordonaro led the way with a 3-of-6 performance. Cal State San Bernardino shot 36.8 percent for the game )28-of-76) and was just 2-of-15 from 3-point range. Cal State LA was 15-of-20 from the free-throw line, while Cal State San Bernardino was 5-of-5. 

The Golden Eagles enjoyed a 51-44 rebounding edge and committed 13 turnovers to 14 for the Coyotes.

The Golden Eagles started quickly and got baskets from Barnes and Bordonaro to close out the first quarter with a 21-11 lead. Cal State LA got a late basket from Jolene Robinson to take a 42-27 lead at halftime.

Cal State LA took its biggest lead after a basket by Smith to open the third quarter made it 44-27, but Cal State San Bernardino was able to close to within 57-45 by the end of the period.

The Golden Eagles saw the lead cut down to two points, 59-57, but Bordonaro hit two straight 3-pointers to push the lead back to 65-57. The Coyotes got to within 65-61, but Bordonaro hit one free throw and Nicole Flennaugh hit two free throws to make it 68-61 with 1:24 to go. Cal State LA then hit five of six free throws in the final minute to secure the win.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday against Cal Poly Pomona at 1 p.m. on Senior Day.