NAMPA, IDAHO -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team made a tremendous turnaround after a slow start, but just didn't have enough at the end against tournament host Northwest Nazarene on Friday.

The Golden Eagles erased an early 15-point deficit and trailed by just one point with three minutes to go, but fell short to the Nighthawks, 79-75, in the NNU Thanksgiving Classic in the Johnson Sports Center. Cal State LA (1-4) was able to take the lead early in the second half and was tied for a final time with 12 minutes remaining, but just couldn't overtake Northwest Nazarene (4-1) down the stretch.

Deraje Agbaosi had a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double for the Golden Eagles, while Khemanni Davis had 19 points and four assists.

Easton Reagan had a game-high 26 points and eight rebounds for Northwest Nazarene, while Parker Martens had 20 points and eight rebounds.

Isaiah Fields had 10 points and three steals for the Golden Eagles, while Michael Pearson Jr. and Sam Ibeh had nine points each. 

Cal State LA shot 39.7 percent (27-of-68) and was just 10-of-31 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 11-of-18 from the free-throw line. Northwest Nazarene shot 50.9 percent (29-of-57) and was 13-of-27 from 3-point range. The Nighthawks were 8-of-14 from the free-throw line. Northwest Nazarene had a 40-37 rebound edge and committed 13 turnovers to 10 for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA trailed by 15 points, 26-11, less than nine minutes into the game, but the Golden Eagles found their footing and went on a 13-0 run to get back into the game. 

Ibeh started the run with a three-point play and Connor Scales followed with a 3-pointer to pull the Golden Eagles within 10. A steal and dunk by Fields, a layup by Davis and a 3-pointer by Ibeh made it 26-24. Ibeh hit another 3-pointer to make it 29-27. Cal State LA got to within one point twice and finished the first half trailing, 39-36.

A tip-in by Agbaosi gave the Golden Eagles their first lead, 43-41, and a jumper by Davis put the Golden Eagles ahead, 45-44. After the Nightha3ws surged ahead by eight points, back-to-back 3-pointers by Davis and a pair of free throws by Agbaosi tied it at 53-53. A 3-pointer by Fields tied it for a final time at 56-56 with 12 minutes remaining.

A three-point play by Agbaosi pulled the Golden Eagles within 69-68 with 5:52 to go, and a layup by Davis made it 73-72 with 3:10 remaining and single free throws enabled the Golden Eagles to stay within two points of the NIghthawks down the stretch. 

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday on the final day of the tournament against Western Oregon.