LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team is now going to have to do some winning on the road if the Golden Eagles hope to defend the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament title they won last season.

The Golden Eagles fought evenly in another tight conference battle in University Gym on Saturday, falling to Cal Poly Humboldt, 77-72. The Golden Eagles (11-15, 9-11 CCAA) remain in a tie for sixth place in the conference with Cal State East Bay and possibly Stanislaus State pending a result later Saturday evening.

Before Saturday's game, the Cal State LA and Cal Poly Humboldt teams came together for the CCAA Winter/Spring Mental Health Initiative sponsored by the CalHOPE Courage Award.
 
The idea was championed by the conference's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to help spread awareness and destigmatize mental health. They stood side-by-side united as they held signs they each personally filled out about 'Why is Mental Health Important?' 

After that, the Golden Eagles honored seniors Robin Kniss, Dominic Escobar, Jaden Lazo, Corey Cofield II and Shane Bell on Senior Day.

The game was fast-paced with a lot on the line for both teams. Cal Poly Humboldt (15-10, 11-9 CCAA) made the key plays down the stretch to secure the win and maintain its spot in a fourth-place tie in the conference.

Corey Cofield II had a game-high 25 points for the Golden Eagles, while Kyjuan Cannady had 17 points and six rebounds. Dominic Escobar had 11 points and five rebounds.

Aidan Fowler, Kyle Frelow and Marsai Mason had 14 points each to lead Cal Poly Humboldt.

Cal State LA shot 46 percent for the game (29-of-63) and was 7-of-19 from 3-point range. Cal Poly Humboldt shot just 37.7 percent (26-of-69) and was 11-of-27 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles attempted on seven free throws and hit all seven while the 'Jacks were awarded 17 and hit 14 of them.

Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 45-32, and committed 15 turnovers to 16 for the 'Jacks.

The game was evenly contested throughout with Cal Poly Humboldt able to earn the only double-digit lead of the game at 18-8 just nine minutes into the game. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Bell and Connor Scales cut into the margin and the Golden Eagles took a 23-21 lead after a 3-pointer by Lazo.

A dunk and a layup by Cofield II gave the Golden Eagles their biggest lead of the half at 30-26 and a Lazo layup kept that margin at 34-30 before the 'Jacks went on an 8-0 run and settled for a 38-36 lead at halftime.

Cal State LA went on a 7-0 run thanks to a dunk by Cannady, a layup by Cofield II and a 3-pointer by Cannady to take a 49-44 lead. After the 'Jacks erased the deficit, a three-point play by Escobar and a layup by Cofield II pushed the lead to 56-52.

A pair of free throws by Scales gave the Golden Eagles their final lead of the game at 62-61, but the 'Jacks scored the next eight points and led the rest of the way. Cal State LA cut the margin to two points on several occasions down the stretch, the final time after a pair of free throws by Escobar made it 71-69 with 1:55 to go.

Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a big clash with Cal State East Bay in Hayward.