LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team is returning to the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament, although the Golden Eagles were not in a celebratory mood Thursday night.

The Golden Eagles made a furious second-half comeback only to fall short to Sonoma State, 63-60, in University Gym. Cal State LA (18-6, 13-5 CCAA) trailed by 14 points with nine minutes left, but pulled to within one point with four minutes to go. Sonoma State (13-11, 9-9 CCAA) was able to hold on while blanking the Golden Eagles over the last three minutes of the game.

Cal State LA lost for the first time at home this season and slips into a tie for third place in the CCAA with Chico State, two games back of first-place Cal State Dominguez Hills and one game back of second-place Cal State San Bernardino with four conference games remaining.

Despite the loss, Cal State LA qualified for the six-team CCAA Tournament for the first time since 2020 and for the first time since the conference switched from an eight-team tournament to a six-team tourney.

Corey Cofield led three Golden Eagles in double figures with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Eche Okeke and Dominic Escobar had 11 points each.

Cameron Barry led all scorers with 21 points for Sonoma State, hitting 7-of-11 from 3-point range.

Deuce Walker and Jaden Lazo both hit a pair of 3-pointers for the Golden Eagles and finished with six points.

Cal State LA shot just 37.7 percent for the game (23-of-61) and was just 8-of-29 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were also just 6-of-11 from the free-throw line. Sonoma State shot 50 percent (25-of-50) and was 10-of-22 from 3-point range. The Seawolves were 3-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Sonoma State had a 35-29 rebounding edge and committed 19 turnovers to 11 for the Golden Eagles.

The Golden Eagles fell into an early seven-point deficit, but took a 22-21 lead on a basket by Isaiah Fields and held a 27-26 advantage last in the half before trailing 29-27 at the break.

Lazo and Cofield hit a 3-pointers to open the second half and give the Golden Eagles a 33-31 lead, but the Seawolves scored the next nine points and led the rest of the way. A 3-pointer by Lazo stopped the run, but the Seawolves went on to take a 52-39 lead with 11:32 to go and led by 14 points, 56-42, with nine minutes remaining.

Cal State LA still trailed by 13 points, 59-46, with eight minutes left, but got back into the game with a 12-0 run over the next four minutes. Fields started the run with a basket, Cofield hit a free throw and then a basket and Walker hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 59-57. A free throw by Cofield got the Golden Eagles within 59-58, but a 3-pointer by Barry stopped the run. Escobar hit a jumper to make it 62-60 with 2:57 remaining, but only one point - a free throw by Sonoma State - was scored down the stretch.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Cal State San Marcos.