LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team was on the wrong end of a buzzer beater Saturday in University Gym.

Needing a defensive stop to win, the Golden Eagles got a missed shot with time running down, but Cal State San Marcos got the rebound and subsequent 3-pointer at the buzzer to stun the Golden Eagles, 77-75, in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game. Cal State LA (18-7, 13-6 CCAA) lost its second straight one-possession game and remains in a tie for third place with Chico State in the conference standings, but now three games back of first-place Cal State Dominguez Hills with three games remaining.

Cal State LA has already clinched spot in the CCAA Tournament for the first time since 2020.

Dominic Escobar led five Golden Eagles in double figures, while Eche Okeke had 12 points, five assists, four rebounds and three assists. Kris Krause and A'Jahni Levias had 11 points each.

Edwyn Collins had a game-high 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, while Charlie Henderson had 17 points and Mike Pope had 16 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. 

Deuce Walker had 10 points and six assists, while Jaden Lazo had seven points and five steals.

Cal State LA shot 41.8 percent for the game (28-of-67) and was just 6-of-24 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 13-of-18 from the free-throw line. Cal State San Marcos shot 47.5 percent (28-of-59) and was 11-of-23 from 3-point range. The Cougars had a 42-33 rebounding edge, while the Golden Eagles committed only eight turnovers to 20 for the Cougars.

The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as six points in the first half, but got back-to-back baskets by Levias and Lazo to close out the half and pulled into a 32-32 tie at halftime.

A 3-pointer by Kris Krause and a layup from Walker gave the Golden Eagles a 40-37 lead with 15:30 to go and 3-pointers by Lazo and Escobar gave the Golden Eagles a 46-40 edge with 14 minutes left. Cal State San Marcos, though, went on a big 27-11 run and opened up a 67-57 lead with six minutes left.

Cal State LA then battled back and nearly pulled out the win. A free throw by Cofield, a free throw by Walker, a 3-pointer by Walker, a layup by Walker, a free throw by Escobar and a three-point play by Okeke sparked an 11-0 run and gave the Golden Eagles a 68-67 lead. 

A three-point play by Escobar gave the Golden Eagles a 71-69 lead, but the Cougars scored the next five points to regain the lead. A pair of free throws by Okeke and a jumper by Lazo gave the Golden Eagles a 75-74 edge and set up the wild finale that included technical fouls by both teams. After good defense by Escobar forced a late miss by Collins, Pope was able to get the rebound and dish to Henderson for the game-winner at the top of the arc.

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