LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team came up big down the stretch to record an entertaining California Collegiate Athletic Association victory over Sonoma State Thursday.

The Golden Eagles closed the game on a 10-3 run to beat the Seawolves, 88-82, in University Gym. Cal State LA (4-9, 1-6 CCAA) picked up its first conference victory after a series of close decisions that went the other way to start conference play. Alexander Sokol hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to give the Golden Eagles the lead for good with 2:35 to go.

Sokol exploded for a season-high 26 points to lead the Golden Eagles, including a 6-of-12 performance from 3-point range. He also had a team-high 12 rebounds and three steals. Elisha Duplechan was also tremendous with 20 points and four assists. He was an efficient 7-of-10 from the floor, hit both of his 3-point attempts and all four of his free-throw tries.

Lyrik Shreiner, in his first game back since his 28-point showing at Fresno Pacific before the break, was also outstanding with 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Simon Ramirez had 22 points to lead four players in double figures for Sonoma State (2-11, 2-5 CCAA).

Ben Uloko had 11 points and six points for the Golden Eagles, including three points during the decisive late-game surge that extended Cal State LA's lead to 84-79 in the final minute.

Cal State LA shot 54.1 percent for the game (33-of-61) and was 13-of-23 from 3-point range (56.5 percent). The Golden Eagles were sizzling in the second half, shooting 61.3 percent (19-of-31), including a 6-for-10 performance from 3-point range (60 percent). Sonoma State shot 50 percent for the game (29-of-58) and was 16-of-35 from 3-point range. 

Cal State LA was just 9-of-19 from the free-throw line, while Sonoma State was 8-of-13. Cal State LA had a 38-28 rebounding edge and both teams committed 11 turnovers.

The game was an exciting game and close throughout. After Sonoma State raced out to an early 14-4 lead, the Golden Eagles fought right back to get in it. Five straight points from Sokol and a 3-pointer from Kyjuan Cannady got the Golden Eagles to within two points before Sonoma State once again surged to take a 25-15 lead. This time, five straight points from Duplechan, another 3-pointer from Cannady and a basket from Jaden Lazo helped the Golden Eagles get to within 28-25. 

The Golden Eagles trailed by seven points, 38-31, before a layup from Shreiner, a 3-pointer from Sokol and a 
3-pointer by Shreiner gave them their first lead of the game, 39-38. Sonoma State then scored the final four points of the half to take a 42-39 halftime lead.

The largest lead of the second half was just five points as the teams traded offensive blows. After Sonoma State took a 73-68 lead with 7:47 to go, a 3-pointer by Sean Estes and a basket from Uloko tied it before a 3-pointer from Sokol gave the Golden Eagles a 76-73 lead. Smith immediately responded with a 3-pointer for the Seawolves to tie it before Uloko gave the Golden Eagles a 78-76 lead.

A 3-pointer by Jacob Williams gave the Seawolves their final lead at 79-78 before Sokol gave the Golden Eagles the lead for good with his 3-pointer just 23 seconds later.

Cal State LA extended its lead thanks to Uloko and then put the game away with two free throws each from Shreiner and Duplechan.

Cal State LA's scheduled game with Humboldt State on Saturday has been canceled so the Golden Eagles will return to action next Thursday at Stanislaus State.