SAN JOSE -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team threw a major scare into San Jose State on Friday night in an exhibition game in the Provident Credit Union Event Center.

The Golden Eagles held a 39-35 halftime lead and battled the Spartans down to the wire in a hard-fought 69-66 exhibition game loss. Alexander Sokol had an outstanding game to lead the Golden Eagles, knocking down four 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 23 points and five assists. Shane Bell had another strong game for the Golden Eagles with 15 points and three assists, while Payton Moore had eight points and three assists, Deuce Walker had eight points and three rebounds and Jaden Lazo had eight points and one assist.

Omari Moore had 22 points and six rebounds to lead San Jose State.

Jared Pearre had four steals for the Golden Eagles to go along with two points and two rebounds.

Cal State LA shot 40 percent (19-of-47) for the game, including 11-of-19 from 3-point range (58 percent). For the second straight night, the Golden Eagles were outstanding from the free-throw line, hitting 17-of-18 attempts. Sokol was 9-of-10.

Cal State LA took an early 12-8 lead on the strength of two 3-pointers each from Lazo and Sokol. A 3-pointer by Bell gave the Golden Eagles a 19-13 lead, but San Jose State went on a run to take a 33-30 lead. Cal State LA responded with 3-pointers from Bell, Walker and Sokol to take a 39-33 lead before settling for a 39-35 halftime lead.

Three free throws by Sokol gave the Golden Eagles a 47-42 lead with 16 minutes to go, but San Jose State went on a 10-0 run to take the lead for good.

The Golden Eagles trailed by eight points, 64-56, but two free throws by Sokol got the Golden Eagles to within 66-64 with 2:47 to go. Two more free throws by Sokol made it 69-66 with 17 seconds left, but the Golden Eagles couldn't get any closer.

Cal State LA will open its regular season on Friday with a home game against Biola at 3 p.m.