ELLENSBERG, WASH. -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team fell short Friday night in its opening game at the CWU Tournament. 

The Golden Eagles held a six-point lead with less than 12 minutes to go, but couldn't hold off Central Washington and fell to the host Wildcats, 82-69, in Nicholson Arena. Cal State LA (2-1) opened the season with wins over PacWest Conference opponents Biola and Concordia, but wasn't as successful on the road against a team picked to finish third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Shane Bell poured in a season-high 28 points, but was the only player to reach double figures. He had the second highest scoring game of his career behind only his career high of 31 points last season at Cal State Monterey Bay. He had an efficent offensive performance, hitting 10-of-14 from the floor, including both off his 3-point tries. He also hit all six of his free-throw attempts. He also had a career-high nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.

Central Washington (2-1) had four players reach double figures, led by Samaad Hector, who had 19 points and eight rebounds. Camron McNeil and Cavin Holden had 18 points each.

Eche Okeke had nine points and five rebounds before fouling out, while Dominic Escobar had eight points, two rebounds and two steals for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA shot 37.1 percent for the game (26-of-70) and was 5-of-18 from 3-point range. Central Washington shot 47.1 percent (24-of-51), including 63.1 percent in the second half when the Wildcats made 12-of-19 from the floor, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range. Central Washington had a 40-31 rebounding edge and had 21 turnovers, while the Golden Eagles had only 14.

Cal State LA trailed by as many as six points in the first and then led by six points, 28-22, after a jumper by Corey Cofield. The Wildcats went on a 16-4 run to open up a 38-32 lead before settling for a 38-34 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles started strongly in the second half and erased a 48-42 deficit with a 12-0 run that started with a jumper by Bell, a 3-pointer by Jaden Lazo, a basket and then a 3-pointer by Bell and two free throws by A'Jahni Levias gave them a 54-48 lead with 11:50 to go. Central Washington responded with a 14-0 run that turned the game around. The Wildcats opened up leads as large as 14 points and kept its margin down the stretch.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a game against Northwest Nazarene, a team picked to finish second in the GNAC.



 

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