SEASIDE -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team fell short Saturday in an important California Collegiate Athletic Association contest at Cal State Monterey Bay.

The Golden Eagles came up empty on the final possession of the game and fell to the Otters, 53-52, in the Otters Sports Center. Cal State LA (10-10, 7-8 CCAA) started the day in a six-way tie for fourth place, but slipped into a tie for sixth place after the surprising loss to Cal State Monterey Bay (4-16, 2-13 CCAA).

The top six teams will qualify for the CCAA Tournament.

Donja Payne had a season-high 15 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season, while Alicia Jones had 10 points for the Golden Eagles.

Deyliana Lewis and Kiki Roberts had 10 points to lead the Otters.

Nevaeh Asiasi had 10 points and five rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Nicole Flennaugh had six points and three rebounds.

Cal State LA struggled offensively, shooting just 36 percent for the game (20-of-55) and making only 2-of-17 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 10-of-13 from the free-throw line. Cal State Monterey Bay shot just 27 percent (17-of-63) and was 5-of-26 from 3-point range. The Otters were 14-of-21 from the free-throw line. Cal State Monterey Bay had a 44-42 rebounding edge and Cal State LA committed 22 turnovers to 20 for the Otters.

Cal State LA opened up a quick 11-4 lead following a 3-pointer by Flennaugh and a basket by Payne and led by as many as eight points, 20-12, after a three-point play Payne with 1:13 left in the period. The Golden Eagles led 20-14 after one quarter.

After the Otters tied it early in the second quarter, the Golden Eagles got a layup by Payne and a free throw by Flennaugh to take a 31-23 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles then surrendered the first seven points of the third quarter to lose the lead. Back-to-back baskets by Asiasi gave the Golden Eagles a 42-38 lead. Another basket by Asiasi gave the Golden Eagles a 41-35 lead, but the Otters scored the final points of the period and took a 44-41 lead after a go-ahead 3-pointer by Lewis.

A basket by Asiasi and a pair of free throws by Buggs gave the Golden Eagles a 45-44 lead, but the Otters scored the next six points to take a 55-50 lead with five minutes left and a 3-pointer by Camille Sroufe put the Otters up, 53-47 with 1:42 left. Gabriella Rones countered with a 3-pointer for the Golden Eagles and a basket by Jones made it a one-point game with 39 seconds left.

After the Golden Eagles forced a turnover with 22 seconds left, they worked for the late shot and had a potential game-winning shot from inside the lane rattled in and out just before the buzzer.

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