ARCATA -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team took care of business Thursday and wrapped up a third-place finish in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

The Golden Eagles had to dig deep to earn a hard-fought 54-45 decision over Cal Poly Humboldt Thursday that stretched their conference winning streak to five and solidified their seed for the conference tournament next week. Cal State LA (13-11, 12-6 CCAA) will have its highest seed in the tournament since the CCAA resumed the tournament in the 1998-99 season.

The Golden Eagles have never finished higher than third place in the CCAA and this is the first time they've finished this high since finishing in a five-way tie for third in 2014. Cal State LA wound up with the No. 5 seed that year and advanced to the conference semi-finals after a first-round win over UC San Diego. The last time the Golden Eagles finished in sole possession of third was in 1987-88 well before the CCAA expanded to its current state. 

Cal State LA also has a chance to finish with its best conference winning percentage since 2005-06 when the Golden Eagles finished the conference schedule with a 14-6 record.

To clinch their third-place finish, the Golden Eagles had to survive a stern battle with Cal Poly Humboldt on Thursday. Lily Buggs had a team-high 14 points and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Jada Johnson also narrowly missed a double-double with 12 rebounds and nine points. Iyanna Lamb finished with 11 points and was clutch down the stretch, securing the win at the free-throw line late.

Cal Poly Humboldt (7-15, 6-12 CCAA) was led by Sharon Roldan, who had a game-high 20 points. Madison Parry finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Raya Smith finished with six points, three rebounds and two assists for the Golden Eagles, while Nicole Flennaugh had five points, including a 3-pointer.

Cal State LA  shot just 31.8 percent (21-of-66) and made just 4-of-16 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 8-of-12 from the free-throw line, including 7-of-10 in the fourth quarter. Cal Poly Humboldt shot just 31.4 percent (16-of-51) and was just 6-of-29 from 3-point range. The 'Jacks were 7-of-11 from the free-throw line.

The Golden Eagles took a 14-13 lead after the first quarter after a steal by Yesenia Smith led to a layup by Raya Smith with 25 seconds left in the period. Both teams struggled to score in the second period and the game was tied, 22-22, at halftime.

The Golden Eagles trailed, 30-28, midway through the third quarter, but tied the game on a basket by Anai Washington and then completed an 8-0 run on a 3-pointer by Flennaugh that gave them the lead and a three-point play by Buggs that made it 36-30.

Cal State LA took a 36-34 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Golden Eagles fell behind, 42-41, with four minutes to play, but a layup by Flennaugh with an assist from Alyssa Fisher put them ahead for good. Lamb followed with a 3-pointer to boost the lead to 46-42 and another basker by Lamb made it 48-42 with one minute left.

Lamb then hit six free throws in eight attempts down the stretch to help preserve the lead. Lamb scored all 11 of her points in the final 2:23 of the game.

Cal State LA will conclude the regular season on Saturday with a road game at Sonoma State.











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