ARCATA -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team came up just short in its bid for a tough road victory Thursday night at Cal Poly Humboldt.

The Golden Eagles sliced an 11-point second-half deficit to two points late in the game, but that's as close as they got in a hard-fought 68-64 California Collegiate Athletic Association loss to the 'Jacks in Lumberjack Arena. Cal State LA (7-8, 4-5 CCAA) scored the first seven points of the game, but the 'Jacks (9-6, 7-2 CCAA) took the lead for good by halftime and held off the Golden Eagles down the stretch.

Shane Bell had another outstanding game for the Golden Eagles, scoring 20 points and grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Alexander Sokol added 12 points, all via four 3-pointers.

Marlon Ruffin had a game-high 21 points for Cal Poly Humboldt. 

Jaden Lazo had nine points for the Golden Eagles on three 3-pointers, while Payton Moore had eight points, three rebounds and three assists. Dominic Escobar returned to the lineup and had six points and seven rebounds.

Cal State LA shot 35.8 percent for the game (24-of-67) and was 8-of-29 from 3-point range. Cal Poly Humboldt shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58) and was 6-of-22 from 3-point range. Cal State LA was 8-of-13 from the free-throw line, while Cal Poly Humboldt was 8-of-12. Cal Poly Humboldt had a 40-31 rebounding edge. Cal State LA committed 12 turnovers compared to 17 for the 'Jacks.

The Golden Eagles got off to a great start and took a 7-0 lead after a basket by Jared Pearre, a layup by Bell, a free throw by Escobar and a dunk by Bell. The 'Jacks, though, responded with a 7-0 run to tie it and took a 17-11 lead before 3-pointers by Sokol and Bell it again at 17-17. Kyjuan Cannady hit a 3-pointer to give the Golden Eagles a 22-19 lead, but the 'Jacks scored the next nine points and led the rest of the way. A late offensive rebound and basket by Escobar cut the deficit to 33-30 at halftime.

The Golden Eagles allowed the first eight points of the second half to trail 41-30 and they still trailed by 11 points at 52-41 with 11 minutes to go. Cal State LA kept within striking distance and layups by Bell and Escobar pulled the Golden Eagles to within 58-56 with 3:24 to go. A layup by Moore got the Golden Eagles to within two points again at 62-60 with 2:19 remaining and a 3-pointer by Jaden Lazo got the Golden Eagles to within 64-61 with one minute remaining, but that's as close as they would get.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a road game at Sonoma State.