CHICO -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team staged a furious comeback Thursday night in its California Collegiate Athletic Association opener at Chico State before falling just short of a miraculous victory.

The Golden Eagles erased a 29-point third-quarter deficit to tie the game at 68-68, but Chico State recovered to post a 74-70 win in Acker Gym. Cal State LA (2-3, 0-1 CCAA) closed the third quarter with a 13-0 run to get within striking distance and then ultimately tied the game with three minutes left before Chico State (5-2, 2-0 CCAA) ultimately prevailed.

Olivia Hodges led four Golden Eagles in double figures with 17 points, while Lily Buggs had 16 points and 10 rebounds in another early-season double-double. Nicole Flennaugh had 16 points and three steals.

Haley Ison had a game-high 19 points for the Wildcats, while Brandy Huffhines had 17 points.

Raya Smith had a strong game for the Golden Eagles with 10 points and four rebounds, while Melena Bland and Silivia Fonongaloa had six points each.

Cal State LA shot 37.1 percent for the game (26-of-70) and was just 4-of-19 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 14-of-19 from the free-throw line. Chico State shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58) and was 8-of-25 from 3-point range. The Wildcats were 12-of-15 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA had a 42-38 rebounding edge and committed 11 turnovers to 21 for the Wildcats.

The Golden Eagles found themselves in a big hole early, falling behind 14-2 and ultimately trailing 23-12 after one quarter and 39-24 at halftime. The deficit grew to 29 points three times in the third quarter at  56-27, 58-29 and 60-31. They still found themselves down by 27 points, 64-37, before closing the period with a 13-0 run fueled by a jumper by Flennaugh, two free throws by Hodges, a layup by Hodges, a jumper by Flennaugh, two free throws by Bland, a layup by Raya Smith and a free throw by Bland that made it 64-50 heading into the fourth quarter.

A layup by Nevaeh Asiasi to open the fourth quarter extended the run to 15-0 and cut the margin to 64-52. After Chico State stopped the run with a basket, the Golden Eagles' surge continued. with a jumper by Buggs, two free throws by Buggs, two baskets by Raya Smith and a 3-pointer by Flennaugh that made it 66-63 with 4:30 to go. After a Chico State basket, Bland hit a 3-pointer to make it 68-66 and Smith hit a layup to tie the score at 68-68 with 2:49 left.

Chico State, though, scored the next six points to regain its footing and a jumper by Smith accounted for the final points of the game.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with an afternoon game at Stanislaus State.