NAMPA, IDAHO -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team dropped a close decision for the second straight day at the Northwest Nazarene Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday.

The Golden Eagles led at halftime, but Western Oregon surged to the lead in the second half and hit its free throws down the stretch to pull out a 74-70 victory in Northwest Nazarene's Johnson Sports Center. Cal State LA (1-5) lost both games in the tournament by just four points.

Michael Pearson Jr. had a phenomenal game for the Golden Eagles, pouring in a career-high 27 points. He was 9-of-12 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, and hit all six of his free throws. Isaiah Fields also had a big game, scoring a season-high 20 points and grabbing four rebounds. He was 8-of-14 from the floor, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. 

John Penigar had 25 points and seven rebounds to lead Western Oregon (3-3).

Cal State LA shot 43.1 percent (22-of-51) for the game and was 9-of-27 from 3-point range, including just 3-of-13 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 17-of-19 from the free-throw line. Western Oregon shot 53.2 percent (25-of-47) and was 8-of-23 from 3-point range. The Wolves were 16-of-22 from the free-throw line. Western Oregon had a 33-23 rebounding edge and committed 17 turnovers to 11 for the Golden Eagles.

Connor Scales had nine points, three rebounds and four assists for the Golden Eagles, while Deraje Agbaosi had five points and three rebounds.

The Golden Eagles got off to a much better start than they did on Friday in their loss to Northwest Nazarene. Cal State LA scored the first five points of the game on a 3-pointer by Donovan Vickers and a layup by Agbaosi and built an 11-point lead, 27-16, after a 3-pointer by Fields with 5:40 left in the half. A three-point play by Scales gave the Golden Eagles a 35-26 lead and they settled for a 35-28 halftime lead.

Western Oregon opened the second half with a 16-3 run to erase the deficit and open up a 42-38 lead. Pearson Jr. then scored five straight points and Fields added a basket to restore a 45-42 lead for the Golden Eagles with 13 minutes left. Neither team had more than a four-point lead down the stretch as the game hung in the balance. A pair of free throws by Scales tied it at 65-65 with 2:34 to go, but Western Oregon scored the next four points and led the rest of the way. A free throw by Khemanni Davis and a dunk by Agbaosi cut the deficit to 69-68 and a pair of free throws by Pearson Jr. made it 71=70 with 13 seconds to go. Western Oregon made a free throw to extend the lead to 72-70 and a late Cal State LA turnover led to two more free throws and the 74-70 final.

Cal State LA will open California Collegiate Athletic Association action next Friday at Cal Poly Pomona.