HAYWARD -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team sits alone atop the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings after a huge win over Cal State East Bay on Thursday.

The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half and 11 points with 16 minutes to go before rallying impressively for an 80-76 victory in a battle between conference co-leaders in Pioneer Gym. Cal State LA (12-2, 7-1 CCAA) moved into sole possession of first place with the win, while Cal State East Bay (10-4, 6-2 CCAA) slipped into a three-way tie for second with Chico State and Cal State San Bernardino.

The victory also enabled the Golden Eagles to set a new program record with a 12-2 record after 14 games.

A'Jahni Levias had a tremendous game for the Golden Eagles, pouring in a season-high 23 points in 29 productive minutes. He led four players in double figures and also contributed five rebounds and four assists. Shane Bell was sensational in the second half and finished with 17 points and five rebounds. He had 11 of his 17 points in the second half.

Grady Lewis led four Cal State East Bay players in double figures with 19 points and six rebounds, while Tyree Campbell had 15 points.

Jaden Lazo had 11 points for the Golden Eagles, while Isaiah Fields had 10 points. Cal State LA had a big 47-9 edge in bench scoring.

Cal State LA shot 47.4 percent for the game (27-of-57) and was 9-of-22 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 17-of-25 from the free-throw line. Cal State East Bay shot 58.8 percent for the game (30-of-51) and was 6-of-14 from 3-point range. The Pioneers were 10-of-16 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA was narrowly out-rebounded, 29-28, and committed 13 turnovers to 21 for the Pioneers.

The Golden Eagles weathered a fast start by the Pioneers, who raced to an early 19-6 lead before a three-point play by Lazo got the Golden Eagles going. Cal State LA got back-to-back 3-pointers by Levias and a dunk from Bell to pull to within 31-29 and a 3-pointer by Lazo got the Golden Eagles to within 40-37 by halftime.

The Pioneers opened the second half with an 11-2 run to take a 51-39 lead with 16 minutes to go, but, once again, the Golden Eagles responded brilliantly. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Levias and Bell got the margin down to five at 53-48 with 12 minutes remaining and a 3-pointer by Fields made it 59-58 lead with 8:28 remaining.

A basket by Escobar tied it at 61-61 and a pair of free throws by Bell after a steal by Levias gave the Golden Eagles a 63-61 lead. The game was tied three times after that before a dunk by Bell gave the Golden Eagles the lead for good at 69-68 and three free throws by Levias extended the lead to 72-68. 

A basket by Deuce Walker gave the Golden Eagles a 78-73 lead with 38 seconds left, but a 3-pointer by Tyree Campbell made it 78-76 with 22 seconds to go. After a Cal State LA turnover, Walker hustled back to block a game-tying attempt by the Pioneers and the Golden Eagles successfully defended an inbounds pass, collecting possession after a video review of a ball knocked out of bounds with three seconds left.

Escobar was fouled after the Golden Eagles inbounded the ball and the two-time CCAA Player of the Week hit both free throws to put the game out of reach. Eche Okeke intercepted a last-gasp pass by the Pioneers to end it.

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