LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team came alive in the second half to secure its first regular-season sweep of perennial power Cal Poly Pomona in 26 years.

The Golden Eagles erupted for 46 second-half points to rally past the Broncos, 68-61, Saturday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game in University Gym. Cal State LA (9-11, 6-8 CCAA) pulled to within one-half game of sixth-place Cal Poly Pomona (9-8, 6-7 CCAA) in a tightly-packed CCAA race. The top six teams qualify for the CCAA Tournament.

Cal State LA, which also edged the Broncos, 65-63, earlier this season in Pomona, swept the regular-season series for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

The Golden Eagles struggled mightily on offense for most of the first half, but used a late surge to close to within 27-22 at halftime. Cal State LA then scored 46 points in the second half to overtake the Broncos. 

Alexander Sokol led the charge, pouring in 16 of his game-high 21 points in the second half, including three key 3-pointers down the stretch. He was also perfect from the free-throw line, hitting all seven of his tries, all in the second half. Dominic Escobar also had a strong second half, scoring 16 of his 18 points in the second half, while Jared Pearre also had a powerful game with 15 points, seven rebounds and six blocks.

Shyheim Parm had 18 points for the Broncos.

Payton Moore had seven points, six rebounds and four assists for the Golden Eagles, while Deuce Walker had five points and six assists.

Cal State LA shot 41.1 percent for the game (23-of-56), including 56.5 percent in the second half (13-of-23). The Golden Eagles were 6-of-26 from 3-point range, hitting just 2-of-15 in the first half, but 4-of-11 in the second half. The Golden Eagles were 16-of-24 from the free-throw line, with all the attempts coming in the second half. Cal Poly Pomona shot 39.6 percent (21-of-53) and was 5-of-16 from 3-point range. The Broncos were 14-of-18 from the free-throw line. Cal State LA had a 33-32 rebounding edge and committed just 12 turnovers to 17 for the Broncos.

The Golden Eagles hung tough despite some rough moments in the first half. Cal State LA trailed, 21-7, with seven minutes left in the first half and 27-13 with 2:30 to go, but got to within 29-22 by halftime after a closing 9-2 run that included six straight points from Pearre and a 3-pointer by Walker.

The Golden Eagles began chipping away at the deficit in the second half and took their first lead at 43-42 after a pair of free throws by Moore with 8:18 to go. Cal Poly Pomona regained the lead, but back-to-back 3-pointers from Sokol erased a 48-46 deficit and gave the Golden Eagles a 52-48 lead with five minutes left. Cal State LA led the rest of the way, gaining its biggest edge at 68-59 after a pair of Sokol free throws with seven seconds left.

Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a road game at San Francisco State.