LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team was unable to slow down a red-hot Cal State San Bernardino team on Saturday in an entertaining California Collegiate Athletic Association contest in University Gym.

The Golden Eagles fought back from double-digit deficits in each of the first two quarters and surged to a brief lead in the third quarter, but the Coyotes were able to hold on for a 67-61 victory. Cal State LA (13-8, 8-8 CCAA) is now alone in sixth place in the conference, one game back of Cal State San Bernardino (10-11, 9-7 CCAA). The Coyotes also hold the tiebreaker over the Golden Eagles by virtue of a regular-season sweep.

The top six teams in the conference will qualify for the CCAA Tournament.

Nevaeh Asiasi led the Golden Eagles with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Amaya Fuentes had 12 points and nine rebounds.

Jaida Jackson had 17 points to lead Cal State San Bernardino, while Lauryn Morris had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Olivia Hodges had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Lily Buggs had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Cal State LA shot just 30.1 percent for the game (22-of-73) and was just 3-of-20 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 14-of-20 from the free-throw line. The Coyotes shot 36.9 percent for the game (24-of-65) and was 9-of-22 from 3-point range. The Coyotes were 10-of-14 from the free-throw line.

Cal State LA started slowly and trailed 13-2 before getting untracked. A four-point play by Buggs started the comeback, which resulted in a 16-4 run to close the quarter. A jumper by Ronyae Jackson gave the Golden Eagles their first lead at 17-15 and they held an 18-17 lead after one period.

The Golden Eagles had to fight their way back from another double-digit deficit in the second period, falling behind 35-24. Cal State LA cut the margin to 37-32 at halftime after baskets from Hodges and Asiasi.

The Golden Eagles then scored six straight points on a layup by Asiasi and two straight layups by Jackson to take a 40-39 lead and a 3-pointer by Fuentes gave the them their biggest lead at 43-39. Cal State San Bernardino, though, regained the lead with a 7-0 run and never trailed again.

Cal State LA trailed 56-50 after three quarters and got as close as four points in the fourth after a layup by Asiasi made it 63-59 with five minutes to go. The Golden Eagles didn't score again until a basket by Hodges made it 67-61 with 1:23 to go, but those were the last points by either team.

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