LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team turned in one of its most inspired efforts of the season on Saturday and was rewarded with one of its biggest wins.

The Golden Eagles, playing down two starters, scored the first eight points of the game and never trailed in an impressive 86-78 win over Cal State San Bernardino in a California Collegiate Athletic Association victory in University Gym. Cal State LA (9-13, 7-9 CCAA) climbed back into a four-way tie for sixth place in the conference, one game out of fifth place and just two games out of third. Cal State San Bernardino (16-9, 9-7 CCAA) is tied for third with Cal Poly Humboldt.

The top six teams will qualify for the CCAA Tournament, which was won last year for the first time by Cal State LA.

Six games remain in the regular season.

The Golden Eagles needed a big effort to climb back into the conference chase and they got it. Dominic Escobar had a season-high 24 points and seven rebounds to lead the way, while Corey Cofield II had 23 points and eight rebounds. 

Evan Oliver had 20 points to lead the Coyotes, who had all five starters hit double figures and account for 77 of their 78 points. Anderw Henderson had 18 points and Charlie Henderson had 17 points.

Kyjuan Cannady had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Golden Eagles, while Jordan Rosales and Connor Scales had eight points each off the bench. The Golden Eagles had a decisive 18-1 advantage in bench points.

Cal State LA shot 56 percent for the game (28-of-50) despite going just 2-of-10 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were an excellent 28-of-33 from the free-throw line. Cal State San Bernardino shot 51.9 percent (27-of-52)  and was 7-of-24 from 3-point range. The Coyotes were 17-of-24 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA had a 28-24 rebounding edge and committed 18 turnovers to 20 for Cal State San Bernardino.

The Golden Eagles scored the first eight points of the game on a 3-pointer by Cofield II, a steal and a three-point play by Jaden Lazo and a layup by Escobar. Cal State San Bernardino got to within one point at 10-9, but never got any closer. A 3-pointer by Scales and two free throws by Cannady gave the Golden Eagles their biggest lead at 32-18 and they settled for a 44-37 halftime lead.

A three-point play by Cofield II and an offensive rebound and basket by Cannady to open the second half boosted the lead back to 12 points, 49-37. The Golden Eagles matched that lead after a layup by Escobar made it 59-47, but the Coyotes surged to within three points twice, the final time after a layup by Andrew Henderson made it 63-60 with eight minutes to go. Back-to-back layups by Escobar and two free throws by Cofield II stopped the surge and a layup by Cannady extended the lead back to 10 points, 71-61, with five minutes remaining.

A layup by Escobar extended the lead to 13 points, 79-66, with three minutes left and, after the Coyotes pulled to within six points, 82-76, with 1:17 remaining, a layup by Cannady and dunk by Cofield II made it 86-76 with 29 seconds left and secured the win.

Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a road game at Cal State Monterey Bay.