LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team completed a fantastic week with another big home victory over a California Collegiate Athletic Association contender..

The Golden Eagles earned a hard-fought 74-66 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt on Saturday afternoon to edge closer to a conference tournament spot as the schedule hits the halfway point. Cal State LA (8-8, 5-6 CCAA) has won three straight games since a frustrating five-game losing skid, two of them against teams also battling for a tournament spot. The Golden Eagles pulled themselves into a tie with Cal Poly Humboldt (7-8, 5-6 CCAA), Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State East Bay for seventh in the conference, just one game behind three teams tied for fourth and only two games out of second.

The Golden Eagles, after a disappointing stretch early in the season, have put themselves into position for an exciting second half of the season.

Nicole Flennaugh had a team-high 19 points and five rebounds to lead three Golden Eagles in double figures. Alicia Jones had 13 points and four assists and Gabriella Rones had 10 points and four rebounds.

Kenya Edelhart had a game-high 22 points for Cal Poly Humboldt, while Marley Johnson had 18 points. That duo combined for 10 successful 3-pointers and kept the 'Jacks within striking distance throughout a fast-paced contest.

Lily Buggs had nine points, three rebounds and three steals, while Amaya Fuentes and Sofia Fidelus had six points each.

Cal State LA shot 41.5 percent for the game (27-of-65) and was 11-of-31 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were just 13-of-24 from the free-throw line. Cal Poly Humboldt shot 44.1 percent (26-of-59) and was 11-of-25 from 3-point range. The 'Jacks were 3-of-5 from the free-throw line.

Both teams had 37 rebounds and the Golden Eagles committed just 13 turnovers to 18 for the 'Jacks.

Neither team led by more than four points in a tight first quarter that ended with the Golden Eagles holding a 19-17 lead after a free throw by Rones. 

It was more of the same in the second period before a go-ahead 3-pointer by Jones and an offensive rebound and basket by Anai Washington gave the Golden Eagles a 32-27 halftime lead.

Rones opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer to give the Golden Eagles a 35-27 lead before back-to-back 3-pointers by Edelhart pulled the 'Jacks to within 35-33. Flennaugh answered with a 3-pointer and baskets by Buggs and Fuentes made it 42-33. A 3-pointer by Buggs opened up a 47-36 lead for the Golden Eagles and Cal State LA settled for a 54-46 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

A 3-pointer by Flennaugh pushed the lead to 61-52 with 5:55 remaining, but the 'Jacks got back-to-back 3-pointers from Johnson and Edelhart to pull within two points, 66-64, with 2:04 to go. Jones hit a pair of free throws by Edelhart hit a jumper to make it 68-66 with 1:26 to go and Rones knocked down the biggest shot of the game, a 3-pointer deep in the shot clock to make it 71-66.

Cal State LA's defense took it from there and free throws by Buggs, Donja Payne and Flennaugh closed out the game.

Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a conference game at Cal State San Bernardino.