TURLOCK -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team started strong, weathered a furious rally from Sonoma State, and then finished wth a flourish to post a big victory Thursday night in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament.

The No. 3 seed Golden Eagles saw a 22-point third-quarter lead whittled to a single point early in the fourth quarter, but righted the ship in time for a 75-63 win over the No. 6 seed Seawolves in a quarterfinal game at Fitzpatrick Arena at Stanislaus State. Cal State LA (20-8) reaches the tournament semifinals for a second straight year and will face No. 2 seed Cal State San Marcos on Friday. The Golden Eagles, which also beat Sonoma State on the opening day of the tourney last year, was 3-0 against the Seawolves this year.

Cal State LA is seeking its first CCAA Tournament title.

Cal State LA (20-8) has now won 20 games in a season for the first time since 2013 and kept itself in good position to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012.

Lily Buggs led the way with an outstanding game, scoring a game-high 18 points to go along with five rebounds and four steals. Jada Johnson had 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks and Yesenia Smith had 10 points, five rebounds and four steals.

It was a tremendous group effort for the Golden Eagles, who had nine players score points in the victory.

Jayme Blackard had 15 points to lead Sonoma State (16-13), while Cielo Gonzalez had 12 points, Camille Johnson had 11 points and Amanda Luckett had 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Silvia Fonongaloa had eight points and three rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Ashley Orozco had seven points.

Cal State LA shot 45.6 percent for the game (26-of-57) and was 5-of-18 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were also 18-of-24 from the free-throw line. The Seawolves shot 45.8 percent (22-of-48) and were 6-of-18 from 3-point range. The Seawolves were 13-of-22 from the free-throw line. Cal State LA had a slim 33-32 rebounding edge and forced 26 Sonoma State turnovers.

Cal State LA had a sensational first half, taking a 21-14 lead on a last-second tip-in from Olivia Hodges and building a 43-23 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles found themselves under major duress in the third period as Sonoma State hit 9-of-10 from the floor and made 7-of-11 free throws to get right back into the game. Cal State LA had a 22-point lead at 47-25, but the Seawolves roared back and closed to within 55-51 after three quarters.

The Golden Eagles then saw their lead cut to just one point at 56-55 with 7:41 to go before Yesenia Smith hit a big basket to stop the surge. Johnson scored to make it 60-55 and, after Sonoma State got it to 60-56, Nicole Flennaugh, the CCAA's leading 3-pointer shooter, hit a big one to push the lead to seven points. Buggs then hit a pair of free throws, Flennaugh hit another 3-pointer, Raya Smith scored on a layup and Buggs scored again to complete a 12-0 run that put the Golden Eagles back in command, 70-56, with 2:14 to go.