SAN BERNARDINO -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team had a good beginning to its first appearance in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament since 2020.

The No. 3 seed Golden Eagles broke open a tight game with an outstanding second half and beat No. 6 seed San Francisco State, 84-62,  in a first-round game Thursday in Coussoulis Arena. Cal State LA (22-7) led by six points at halftime and outscored the Gators (17-14), 45-29, in the second half. The Golden Eagles shot 55 percent in the second half and made 20-of-22 free-throw attempts.

Cal State LA advances to the semi-finals for the first time since 2019 where the Golden Eagles will face No. 2 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Cal State LA, which has already set a new program record for wins, will now try to reach the tournament finals for the first time.

Corey Cofield led four Golden Eagles in double figures with 21 points, eight rebounds and five steals. He was supremely efficient, going 6-of-7 from the floor and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Eche Okeke had 20 points, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Tyjean Burrell had 15 points to lead four Gators in double figures.

Shane Bell had 15 points and seven assists for the Golden Eagles and A'Jahni Levias had 11 points.

Cal State LA shot an even 50 percent for the game (25-of-50) and was 6-of-19 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were also 28-of-32 from the free-throw line. San Francisco State shot just 37.1 percent (23-of-62) and was just 3-of-24 from 3-point range. The Gators were 13-of-16 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 40-27, but the active Golden Eagle defense forced 21 turnovers, including 14 steals, which led to offensive opportunities.

Cal State LA got 3-pointers from Deuce Walker and Levias to open up a quick 13-3 lead and steal by Bell and basket by Okeke gave the Golden Eagles their biggest lead of the first half at 17-5. The Gators cut the lead to just three points, but couldn't get any closer and the Golden Eagles settled for a 39-33 halftime lead.

Cal State LA had its lead cut to three points, 42-39, but went on a 10-0 run to take a 52-39 advantage. Bell started the run with a jumper, a steal by Cofield led to a pair of free throws by Walker, another steal and layup by Cofield, a pair of free throws by Cofield and steal and pair of free throws by Bell gave the Golden Eagles a 13-point lead.

Cal State LA led by double-digit margins the rest of the way.

Cal State LA will be facing Cal State Dominguez Hills for the third time this season. The Golden Eagles won the previous two meetings.