AZUSA -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team came up big once again in crunch time and posted a third straight non-conference win.

The Golden Eagles saw a 14-point third-quarter lead whittled down to a single point, but a 3-pointer by newcomer Ariyah Smith sparked a game-deciding 9-0 run and Cal State LA recorded a 73-62 win over host Azusa Pacific Tuesday in the Felix Event Center. Cal State LA (3-0) has used strong fourth-quarter finishes in each of its first three wins.

The Golden Eagles led by 11 points entering the fourth quarter, but Azusa Pacific (1-2) opened the period with a 13-3 run to cut the deficit to 55-54. Smith's 3-pointer stopped the run in its tracks and was followed by a layup by Sofia Fidelus, a steal by Kyara Walter that led to a basket by Nevaeh Asiasi, and a basket by Mary Cotton that pushed the lead back to 10, 64-54. After Azusa Pacific scored to stop the run, Walter responded with a 3-pointer to extend the advantage to 67-56 and the Golden Eagles never looked back.

Fidelus, who was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Week earlier in the day, had 18 points and a career-high 11 rebounds to lead the way. Ronyae Jackson had 13 points and Asiasi had 10 points, nine rebounds and six steals.

Lauren Jones and Rachel Roderick had 17 points each to lead Azusa Pacific.

Amaya Fuentes had eight points for the Golden Eagles and Smith finished with seven points and a team-high five assists. Mary Cotton had six points, six rebounds and four assists.

Cal State LA shot 41.2 percent for the game (28-of-68) and was 10-of-26 from 3-point range, including 7-of-13 in the second half. The Golden Eagles were 7-of-14 from the free-throw line. Azusa Pacific shot 33.3 percent (23-of-69) and was just 4-of-26 from 3-point range. The Cougars were 11-of-13 from the free-throw line. Azusa Pacific had a 51-38 rebounding edge, but committed 22 turnovers to 17 for Cal State LA.

The Golden Eagles took a 17-14 after one quarter and built a 29-20 lead after a layup by Mariah Blake and a 31-22 advantage after a layup by Cotton. The Cougars scored the final seven points of the period to make it 31-29 at halftime.

Cal State LA took its biggest lead of the game at 52-38 after a layup by Fidelus and the Golden Eagles settled for a 52-41 lead heading into the final period. Azusa Pacific then made its big 13-3 run to start the fourth quarter and the Golden Eagles responded with a 13-2 run to regain control.

Cal State LA will return to action on Dec. 4 with its CCAA opener at Cal Poly Pomona.