LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team saw a tremendous rally come up just short Thursday night in a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest against Sonoma State.

The Golden Eagles sliced an 18-point deficit down to just one point late in the game, but the Seawolves hit three free throws down the stretch to hold on to a 69-65 victory in University Gym. Cal State LA (4-8, 3-4 CCAA) had potential go-ahead and game-tying shots just miss in the final minute.

Lily Buggs had an outstanding game for the Golden Eagles, pouring in a game-high 24 points to go along with nine rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals. Anai Washington had 13 points and seven rebounds, while Alyssa Fisher had 10 points and four assists.

Amanda Luckett had 21 points and six rebounds to lead Sonoma State (4-8, 3-2 CCAA), while Zane Sheckherd and Aaryn Pickett had 10 points each.

Raya Smith had all nine of her points in the fourth quarter and spearheaded Cal State LA's late charge. It was her basket that the Golden Eagles to within 66-65 with 1:07 left, but those were the last points the Golden Eagles would score.

Cal State LA shot 37.5 percent overall (24-of-64), but was just 4-of-20 from 3-point range. Sonoma State shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59) and was 3-of-9 from 3-point range. Cal State LA was 13-of-18 from the free-throw line, while Sonoma State was 12-of-16. Cal State LA had a 36-33 rebounding edge and committed 16 turnovers to 15 for the Seawolves.

The Golden Eagles found themselves down by just four points at halftime, 34-30, before a major struggle in the third period that saw Sonoma State . The third quarter, though, saw the Golden Eagles on the short end of a 14-1 run that staked the Seawolves to a 48-31 lead. A 3-pointer by Yesenia Smith, five straight points from Buggs and a basket by Fisher helped the Golden Eagles cut the margin to 55-46 entering the fourth quarter.

Sonoma State took a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but a 3-pointer by Fisher and a basket by Yesenia Smith sliced the lead in half. 

Sonoma State, though, surged to a 12-point lead, 66-54, with 3:16 to go before Cal State LA made its final big push. A pair of baskets by Raya Smith, a basket by Washington, a three-point play by Smith and another basket by Smith fueled an 11-0 run that made it 66-65 with 1:07 left.

Cal State LA, though, was unable to score after that and Sonoma State held on for the win.

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