LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team survived a cold shooting night and stepped it up defensively to pick up an important California Collegiate Athletic Association victory over Cal State San Marcos.

The Golden Eagles shot just 39 percent for the game, including hitting just 1-of-12 attempts from 3-point range, but they limited the Cougars to only 24 second-half points and took a hard-fought 64-58 decision Thursday night in University Gym. Cal State LA (8-11, 6-7 CCAA) held its spot in a tie for fifth place in the conference with Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State, one game back of fourth-place Cal Poly Humboldt.

Raphael Gay had a fantastic game for the Golden Eagles, scoring a season-high 28 points and grabbing a season-high 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. He was 12-of-16 from the floor and 4-of-7 from the free-throw line.

Micah Boone had a team-high 20 points for Cal State San Marcos (3-15, 3-9 CCAA), which also got 10 points from Donovan Watkins.

Dominic Escobar had 10 points and two steals for the Golden Eagles, while Corey Cofield II had eight points and seven rebounds.

Cal State LA shot 39.4 percent for the game (26-of-66) and Connor Scales hit the lone 3-pointer for the Golden Eagles. The Golden Eagles were 11-of-15 from the free-throw line. Cal State San Marcos shot 40 percent (20-of-50) and was 6-of-18 from 3-point range. The Cougars were 12-of-18 from the free-throw line. 

Cal State San Marcos had a slim 37-35 rebounding edge, while the Golden Eagles forced 27 turnovers and committed 17.

The game was close throughout with neither team able to build a 10-point lead. The Golden Eagles built an early 11-4 lead after a dunk by Shane Bell, but the Cougars surged to a 34-28 lead before a layup by Gay made it 34-30 at halftime.

Cal State LA opened the second half with a 10-2 run to take a 40-36 lead after a tip-in by Cofield II and a pair of free throws by Gay gave the Golden Eagles a lead they would never relinquish, although the Cougars kept it close to the end.

A tip-in by Cofield II opened up a 50-41 lead for the Golden Eagles with 9:54 left and a jumper by Gay made it 59-50 with 2:56 to go. The Cougars battled back to within 61-57 in the final minute and had possession after a steal, but Jaden Lazo came up with a steal for the Golden Eagles that led to a pair of free throws by Bell that made it 63-57 with just 17 seconds left.

Cal State LA will return to action with a home game against Sonoma State on Saturday at 3 p.m.