SEASIDE -- Cal State LA's men's basketball started slowly, but the Golden Eagles were firing on all cylinders in the second half of an important California Collegiate Athletic Association victory Saturday at Cal State Monterey Bay.

The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, pulled to within striking distance by halftime and then roared away for an 86-65 win in the Otter Sports Center. Cal State LA (16-5, 11-4 CCAA) trailed by five at halftime and then outscored Cal State Monterey Bay (6-14, 4-11 CCAA), 55-29, in the second half to secure the road win.

Cal State LA shot nearly 66 percent in the second half (21-of-32), including a sizzling 8-of-12 from 3-point range.

The Golden Eagles remain in a second-place tie with Chico State and Cal State San Bernardino, two games back of first-place Cal State Dominguez Hills. All four conference leaders won on Saturday.

Balanced scoring was a key once again as Shane Bell led five Golden Eagles in double figures with 23 points. Bell was 8-of-16 from the floor, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Eche Okeke had 15 points and six rebounds and A'Jahni Levias also had 15 points to go along with five rebounds in 27 productive minutes off the bench.

Javon Johnston had a team-high 15 points to lead Cal State Monterey Bay, while Charles Johnston had a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double.

Corey Cofield had an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double.for the Golden Eagles, while Dominic Escobar also had 11 points.

Cal State LA shot 50 percent for the game (34-of-68) and was 10-of-22 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were also 8-of-12 from the free-throw line. Cal State Monterey Bay shot 36.7 percent for the game (18-of-49) and was 11-of-26 from 3-point range. The Otters were 18-of-28 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA won the rebounding battle for the second straight game, 40-33, and committed only 10 turnovers to 16 for the Otters.

The Golden Eagles took awhile to find their footing and fell behind, 27-13, with seven minutes remaining in the first half. The Golden Eagles still trailed by 11 points, 35-24, but closed the half with a 7-1 run, including a 3-pointer from Bell that made it 36-31 at halftime.

A 3-pointer by Escobar and a steal and layup by Bell gave the Golden Eagles their first lead of the second half, 40-39, and was followed by a 3-pointer by Bell and a jumper from Cofield to make it 45-39. After an Otter free throw, Cal State LA went on a 10-0 run to take a 15-point lead. Okeke hit a 3-pointer to start the surge, Escobar and Bell made baskets and Bell hit another 3-pointer to make it 55-40. 

The Golden Eagles led by double-digit margins the rest of the way and took their biggest lead, 86-61, after a 3-pointer by Isaiah Fields and a layup by Okeke.

Cal State LA will return to action with a home game against San Francisco State on Thursday.