LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball needed some late heroics to pull out a big win over Azusa Pacific on Friday in a battle between nationally-ranked teams.

Olivia Hodges gave the Golden Eagles the lead with 1.5 seconds remaining and Lily Buggs preserved the lead with a spectacular block as time ran out to secure a wild 74-73 win in University Gym. Cal State LA (4-0) had seen Azusa Pacific (5-1) erase a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and take the lead with four seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Golden Eagles ran a beautifully-executed play and Hodges took a pass from Nevaeh Asiasi, drove into the lane and made her shot to give the Golden Eagles the win.

Cal State LA was ranked No. 23 in the nation entering this week's games, while Azusa Pacific was ranked No. 10.

Amaya Fuentes poured in a career-high 21 points for the Golden Eagles and also had four rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Buggs finished with 18 points, four rebounds, six assists and four blocks in a tremendous performance and Hodges had her second straight double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. 

Kelly Heimburger had a game-high 30 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for the Cougars, while Amayah Kirkman had 14 points, four assists and four steals.

Gabriella Rones had eight points and four rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Asiasi and Mary Cotton had four points each.

Cal State LA shot 48.3 percent for the game (28-of-58) and was 9-of-15 from 3-point range with Fuentes leading the way with a 5-of-8 showing. Azusa Pacific shot 38.3 percent (31-of-81) and was 8-of-29 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 9-of-12 from the free-throw line, while the Cougars were 3-of-3.

Cal State LA had a 41-38 rebounding edge and overcame 27 turnovers to 16 for the Cougars.

The Golden Eagles started quickly and took an early 16-4 lead after a 14-0 run fueled by a basket by Asiasi, a steal by Asiasi and a layup by Buggs, another layup by Buggs, 3-pointers by Fuentes and Buggs and a layup by Fuentes. The Golden Eagles settled for a 16-10 lead after one period.

The Cougars pulled even in the second quarter at 22-22 after a 3-pointer by Heimburger, but the Golden Eagles responded with 3-pointers by Rones and Fuentes and a basket by Fuentes to take a 30-22 lead. A late layup by Hodges gave the Golden Eagles a 32-25 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles had their lead cut to three points during the third quarter, but a jumper by Buggs and a free throw later by Buggs pushed the lead to 59-49 entering the fourth quarter.

The Golden Eagles were able to keep the Cougars at bay for most of the fourth quarter, but, after a 3-pointer by Sofia Fidelus gave them a 72-68 lead with 2:16 to go, a 3-pointer by Elyse Mitchell and the late basket by Heimburger gave the Cougars their first lead since the opening minutes of the game.

Hodges and Buggs made sure that lead was short-lived.

Cal State LA will return to action on Sunday in its CCAA opener against Cal State Dominguez Hills in University Gym at 1 p.m.