FRESNO -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team will be heading home for the holidays after a non-conference win over Fresno Pacific on Tuesday.
The Golden Eagles took control by halftime and went on to a 92-72 win over the Sunbirds in the Special Events Center. Cal State LA (8-2) carries a three-game winning streak into the break and has won six of its last seven games.
Cal State LA showcased its depth on Tuesday with four players reaching double figures in scoring and six players scoring eight points or more. Nine players in all scored in the game.
Shane Bell continued his outstanding play and had 17 points, nine assists and two rebounds, while
Corey Cofield was tremendous as well, scoring 17 points and notching a team-high seven steals to go along with a team=high six rebounds. Bell was 6-of-10 from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point range, while Cofield was 7-of-12 from the floor.
Dominic Escobar had 14 points and hit all four of his 3-point attempts, while
Isaiah Fields scored 13 points and was 3-of-4 from 3-point range.Â
Isaac Peralta had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Sunbirds (1-9), while Harrison Pennisi had 15 points and seven rebounds.
Eche Okeke had nine points and five rebounds and
Jaden Lazo had eight points and two assists.
Cal State LA shot 46.9 percent for the game (30-of-64) and was even better from long range, hitting 14-of-26 from behind the 3-point arc. The Golden Eagles were also 18-off-22 from the free-throw line. Fresno Pacific shot 47.3 percent for the game (26-of-55) and was just 2-of-14 from 3-point range. The Sunbirds were 18-of-25 from the free-throw line. Fresno Pacific had a 37-21 rebounding edge, but the Golden Eagles had a big advantage in turnovers, forcing 24 while committing only eight.
The Golden Eagles trailed early, but took a 20-19 lead after a pair of free throws by Lazo and led the rest of the way.
A'Jahni Levias followed Lazo's free throws with a 3-pointer and Cal State LA grabbed its first double-digit lead after a steal and layup by Okeke, 34-23. The Sunbirds were able to get to within six points, but the Golden Eagles closed the half well and a 3-pointer by
Kris Krause gave them a 54-41 halftime lead.
A pair of 3-pointers by Escobar, a 3-pointer by Bell and a steal by Cofield that led to a dunk by Bell gave the Golden Eagles a 65-45 lead early in the second half. Fresno Pacific got as close as nine points, but the Golden Eagles got five straight points from Fields to open up a 72-58 advantage and led by double digits the rest of the way.
Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 30, with a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
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