LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team stayed within striking distance of California Collegiate Athletic Association leading Cal State San Bernardino before coming up short Thursday in University Gym.

The Golden Eagles limited the Yotes to under 40 percent shooting, but the Yotes held the Golden Eagles to just 32 percent shooting and posted a 79-65 win. Cal State LA (8-11, 5-8 CCAA) remains just one game out of sixth place in the conference, while the Yotes (15-2, 10-1 CCAA) maintained their hold on the conference's top spot.

Alexander Sokol had a game-high 23 points to lead three Golden Eagles in double figures. Dominic Escobar had 14 points and five rebounds and Shane Bell had 12 points, six rebounds and two steals.

Robby Robinson had 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead five Yotes in double figures. Elijah Hardy had 14 points and five rebounds and Eddie Davis had 13 points and four rebounds.

Kyjuan Cannady had seven points and four assists for Cal State LA, while Jared Pearre had six rebounds and four blocks to go along with three points.

Cal State LA shot just 32.3 percent for the game (20-of-62) and was 7-of-22 from 3-point range. Cal State San Bernardino shot 39.4 percent (26-of-66) and was 9-of-24 from 3-point range. Both teams were 18-of-23 from the free-throw line. Cal State San Bernardino had a 51-35 rebounding edge and committed 17 turnovers to 18 for the Golden Eagles.

Pearre got the Golden Eagles off to a good start with a dunk to open the game and two early blocks, but Cal State LA ultimately surrendered the next nine points and trailed the rest of the way. The Golden Eagles were able to frustrate the Yotes early and Sokol hit a pair of free throws after a technical foul to stop the 9-0 run.

A three-point play by Cannady and a 3-pointer by Bell pulled the Golden Eagles to within 11-10 with 12 minutes remaining the half, but the Yotes opened up a 39-24 lead late in the half. Cal State LA, though, closed the period with six straight free throws by Sokol, the last two coming after a review detected an elbowing foul at the halftime buzzer.

Escobar put in an offensive rebound to open the second half to pull the Golden Eagles to within seven points at 39-32, but the Yotes responded with a 12-1 run to open up a 51-33 advantage. Cal State San Bernardino opened up its biggest lead at 60-38, but the Golden Eagles battled back and got a pair of free throws by Kaden Rasheed, a 3-pointer by Escobar and a steal by Escobar that led to a dunk by Bell to make it 69-58 with 5:33 to go.

A 3-pointer by Sokol cut the deficit to just nine points, 72-63, with three minutes left, but that's as close as the Golden Eagles could get.

Cal State LA will return to action with a home game against Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday at 3 p.m.