SAN BERNARDINO -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team got off to a stirring start Thursday night in the arena where the Golden Eagles captured their first-ever California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament title 10 months ago.

This time, though, host Cal State San Bernardino was able to defend its home court. The Golden Eagles led by as many as 11 points in the first half before falling to the Coyotes, 79-63, in Coussoulis Arena. Cal State LA, which outscored the Coyotes, 41-31, in the second half of a 73-62 win in the CCAA Tournament title game on March 9, was outscored on Thursday, 40-28, in the final 20 minutes.

Cal State LA (4-7, 2-3 CCAA) jumped out to an 18-7 start in the opening half on Thursday, but Cal State San Bernardino (11-3, 4-1 CCAA) stormed back to take a 39-35 halftime lead and then pulled away in the second half.

Corey Cofield II led the Golden Eagles with a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double, his third of the season. The 13 rebounds were a career high. Dominic Escobar had 13 points, six rebounds and two steals and Shane Bell had 11 points and a season-high nine assists.

Evan Oliver had 18 points to lead five Coyotes in double figures. Nic Welp had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Kyjuan Cannady had nine points and three assists, while Jaden Lazo had eight points and four steals.

Cal State LA shot 42.4 percent for the game (25-of-59) and was significantly better in the first half. The Golden Eagles shot 55.6 percent in the first half (15-of-27) and 31.3 percent in the second half (10-of-32). The Golden Eagles were 5-of-15 from 3-point range and just 8-of-16 from the free-throw line. Cal State San Bernardino shot 54.7 percent for the game (29-of-53), including a sizzling 65.2 percent in the second half. The Coyotes were also 10-of-19 from the 3-point range and 11-of-16 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 42-25, but forced 23 turnovers while committing only 12.

Cal State LA got off to a sensational start and led 11-2 after a 3-pointer by Escobar less than three minutes into the game. The lead grew to 17-6 after a steal and layup by Lazo and stayed at 11 points, 18-7, after a free throw by Cofield with 13 minutes remaining in the half. Cal State San Bernardino used a 10-0 run to take a 33-30 lead before a 3-pointer by Lazo tied it. The Coyotes, though, hit some late free throws to take a 39-35 halftime lead.

The Golden Eagles fell behind 57-44 early in the second half before making their best run of the period. A pair of free throws by Cofield II, a jumper by Escobar and a 3-pointer by Bell cut the margin to 57-51, but the Coyotes responded with a 12-1 run to open up a 69-52 lead and never looked back.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday at Cal Poly Pomona at 3 p.m.