POMONA -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team finished up a tough week on the road with a hard-fought loss at Cal Poly Pomona.

Just two days after falling out of a share of the conference lead after a loss at defending California Collegiate Athletic Association Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday, the Golden Eagles dropped a 70-67 decision at Cal Poly Pomona Saturday in Kellogg Arena. No. 25 Cal State LA (14-5, 9-4 CCAA) slipped two games behind first-place Cal State Dominguez Hills after losing two straight games for the first time this season.

Eche Okeke had a tremendous game for the Golden Eagles, scoring a season-high 24 points and just missing a double-double with nine rebounds, which was also a team high. Corey Cofield had 14 points and six rebounds.

Brandon Porter had 18 points to lead Cal Poly Pomona (6-11, 5-8 CCAA), while Malachi Murrell had 16 points.

Dominic Escobar scored eight points, A'Jahni Levias had seven points and Shane Bell had six points for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA shot 42.9 percent for the game (27-of-63) and was just 4-of-13 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were also 9-of-14 from the free-throw line. Cal Poly Pomona shot 50 percent (27-of-54) and was 8-of-22 from 3-point range. The Broncos were just 8-of-19 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 41-28, and committed just six turnovers to 15 for Cal Poly Pomona.

The Golden Eagles did a sensational job of rallying from an 18-point first-half deficit and putting themselves in position to get a tough road win. Cal State LA fell into an early 20-6 hole and trailed 35-17 with less than five minutes remaining in the first half. 

But Cal State LA closed the first half well and closed to within 43-32 by halftime after a layup by Okeke.

The Golden Eagles opened the second half strongly as well and got to within five points at 45-40 after a steal and layup by Escobar. A jumper by Escobar and a dunk by Okeke got the Golden Eagles to within 51-50. Cal State LA then got a 3-pointer by Okeke and a pair of free throws to take its first lead of the second half, 65-64, with 1:35 to go. Cal Poly Pomona scored the next four points on free throws to take a 68-65 lead. 

Bell hit to free throws to make it 68-67 with 18 seconds to go and Cal State LA had a chance after the Broncos missed two free throws with 17 seconds left, but Murrell got the offensive rebound and scored on a dunk with 12 seconds left to account for the final points. Cal State LA was unable to get a 3-point attempt off before the buzzer sounded.

Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a road game at Stanislaus State.