LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's storybook season did not have the final chapter the Golden Eagles were hoping for and it certainly came much sooner than they would have liked.

The No. 1 seed Golden Eagles (24-8) were stung by a late turnover and a free throw with 2.7 seconds left and fell to Azusa Pacific, 60-59, in an NCAA Division II West Regional quarterfinal contest in University Gym. The Golden Eagles, who enjoyed a record-breaking regular-season, were making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2000.

In other tournament games on Friday, No. 6 seed Chico State beat No. 3 seed Montana State Billings, No. 2 seed Cal State San Bernardino beat No. 7 seed Alaska Anchorage and No. 5 seed Central Washington beat No. 4 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills.

In semifinal matchups on Saturday in University Gym, No. 6 seed Chico State will face No. 2 seed Cal State San Bernardino at 5 p.m. and No. 5 seed Central Washington will face No. 8 seed Azusa Pacific at 7:30 p.m.

For the Golden Eagles, it was a disappointing ending to a sensational season. Cal State LA found itself in trouble early against an Azusa Pacific team that has gotten hot at the right time. The Cougars (15-16), the PacWest Conference Tournament champions, led by as many as 15 points in the first half and took a 35-23 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles got things going in the second half and briefly took the lead with at 53-51 after a steal and dunk by Shane Bell, but the Cougars went on an 8-0 run to take a 59-53 lead with just 48 seconds to go.

The Golden Eagles, though, made it 59-55 after a jumper by Bell and after back-to-back steals with their full-court press, tied it after layups by Eche Okeke and Corey Cofield with 27 seconds to go. After yet another steal, the Golden Eagles got possession with 24 seconds to go, but a turnover on an in-bounds pass and a late foul following an offensive rebound gave Bryce Sloan the opportunity to win the game for the Cougars.

Sloan missed the first, but made the second and a last-ditch 3-pointer from half-court by Bell just missed at the buzzer.

Cofield had 16 points to lead the Golden Eagles, while Bell had 13 points and Okeke had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Ken West had 14 points for Azusa Pacific, while Ethan Speaker and George Reidy had 11 points each.

A'Jahni Levias had eight points for the Golden Eagles, while Deuce Walker had six points and five assists.

Cal State LA shot 39 percent for the game (23-of-59) and was just 6-of-26 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, led by Cofield who was a perfect 6-for-6. Azusa Pacific shot 46 percent (23-of-50) and was 6-of-18 from 3-point range. The Cougars were 8-of-12 from the free-throw line.

Azusa Pacific had a 34-30 rebounding edge, including a big offensive rebound at the end. Cal State LA forced 18 turnovers and committed 12. 

Cal State LA's 24 wins broke the previous school record by four victories and the Golden Eagles also claimed their first-ever CCAA Tournament title.