CARSON -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team battled to the very end, but fell short against Montana State Billings in a hard-fought NCAA West Regional first-round game in the Torodome.

The No. 5 seed Golden Eagles were on the short end of a 69-66 decision Friday night to No. 4 seed Montana State Billings and saw their record-breaking season come to a disappointing end. Cal State LA (20-10) set a new program record for conference wins, reached 20 wins for the fourth time and for the first time since 2013 and came just one victory shy of the program single-season record.

Cal State LA was making its first NCAA appearance since 2012 and the third overall. The Golden Eagles are still seeking their first NCAA Tournament win.

Lily Buggs had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Eagles, completing a sensational sophomore season that saw her earn first-team All-West Region honors just days after earning CCAA All-Tournament honors for a second straight year.

Raya Smith also had an outstanding game with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals. She was especially effective driving to the basket and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Taryn Shelley had 15 points to lead four players in double figures for Montana State Billings (25-7), the second-place team from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Nicole Flennaugh had nine points and six rebounds and added one more 3-pointer to her program single-season record of 99 and her career program and conference record to 255. Silivia Fonongaloa had a productive game with nine points and six rebounds in 12 minutes and Yesenia Smith had eight points and two rebounds.

Cal State LA shot 37.1 percent (23-of-62) against a tough Montana State Billings defense, that was one of the best in the GNAC. The Golden Eagles were just 3-of-17 from 3-point range and made 17-of-19 from the free-throw line. Montana State Billings shot 41.7 percent (25-of-60) and was 7-of-20 from 3-point range. The Yellowjackets were 12-of-18 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA was narrowly out-rebounded, 38-36, and committed only seven turnovers to 13 for Montana State Billings.

The Golden Eagles started well and scored the first seven points of the game after a steal and layup by Raya Smith and a jumper by Flennaugh followed by a 3-pointer by Flennaugh after a steal by Buggs. Cal State LA led by seven points on three more occasions before the Yellowjackets surged back to tie it at 15-15. A three-point play by Yesenia Smith and a basket by Olivia Hodges gave the Golden Eagles a 24-18 lead before they settled for a 24-20 lead after one quarter.

Cal State LA's offense struggled mightily in the second period and Montana State Billings outscored the Golden Eagles, 17-6, to take a 37-30 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 12 points early in the third quarter after the Yellowjackets came out of the halftime break by scoring five straight points. Cal State LA still trailed by nine points before six straight points by Buggs pulled them to within 51-48 and a late basket by Buggs just before the buzzer made it 53-50 heading into the final period.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Yesenia Smith and Buggs gave the Golden Eagles a 56-55 lead and a steal and layup by Raya Smith completed an 8-0 run and gave the Golden Eagles a 58-55 lead with seven minutes to go. A free throw by Jada Johnson gave the Golden Eagles a 59-57 lead with 4:38 to go, but the Yellowjackets scored five quick points to regain the lead. Fonongaloa made a layup to make it 62-61, but the Yellowjackets went on a mini 6-1 run to take command, 68-62 with 1:26 to go.

Cal State LA fought back. Raya Smith made a pair of free throws to cut it to 68-64 with 59 seconds to go, but the Golden Eagles came up empty on their next possession and a Yellowjackets free throw pushed the lead to 69-64 with just 20 seconds to go. Flennaugh was fouled on a drive to the basket and made two free throws to make it 69-66 with 14 seconds to go and Cal State LA forced a turnover to get a chance to tie. The Golden Eagles were stymied by the Yellowjackets defense, though, and a desperation 3-point attempt under heavy duress was off the mark.