LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team has reached the halfway point of the California Collegiate Athletic Association schedule and the Golden Eagles have a share of the conference lead.
The Golden Eagles recorded an 82-59 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt on Saturday in University Gym for their ninth win in their 10 games. Cal State LA (14-3, 9-2 CCAA) is tied with Cal State Dominguez Hills for the conference lead, one game clear of third-place Cal State San Bernardino.
The Golden Eagles shot nearly 59 percent from the floor and had four players reach double figuers in scoring in the win over the 'Jacks (3-13, 0-11 CCAA).
Eche Okeke led the way with 17 points, while
Shane Bell had 14 points and five assists.
Rob Diaz had 16 points and nine rebounds for Cal Poly Humboldt, while Emanuel Steward had 12 points.
Kris Krause had 11 points and was a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line for the Golden Eagles, while
A'Jahni Levias had 10 points and eight assists.
Cal State LA shot 58.8 percent (30-of-51) and was 13-of-25 from 3-point range, including 60 percent (6-of-10) in the opening half while building a 41-23 halftime lead. Cal State LA was also 8-of-13 from the free-throw line. Cal Poly Humboldt shot 38.1 percent (24-of-63) and 7-of-25 from 3-point range. Cal Poly Humboldt had a 37-24 rebounding edge and committed 22 turnovers to 14 for the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA had its offensive in high gear on Saturday with 22 assists on its 30 field goals.
The Golden Eagles got a 3-pointer from Krause, a free throw by Levias and a 3-pointer from Levias to erase an early 10-9 deficit. The Golden Eagles broke the game open with an 8-0 run on layups by Krause, Bell,
Isaiah Fields and a steal and layup by
Jaden Lazo that built a 28-14 lead. Cal State LA led by double-digit margins the rest of the way and took a 41-23 halftime lead following a 3-pointer by Bell.
Three free throws by Krause and a layup by Lazo gave the Golden Eagles their biggest lead of the game, 59-32, with 14:51 to go. The 'Jacks battled back to get to within 67-53 with 5:15 to go, before a 3-pointer by Bell, a steal by
Deuce Walker that led to a dunk by Bell gave the Golden Eagles a 72-53 lead with 4:23 to go.
Cal State LA maintained a large lead the rest of the way.
Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a road game at Cal State San Bernardino.
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