SAN MARCOS -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team saw its California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament title defense end under a barrage of Cal State San Bernardino 3-pointers Thursday in The Sports Center at Cal State San Marcos.

The No. 6 seed Golden Eagles were able to cut an early 18-point deficit down to seven points several times during the second half before the No. 3 Coyotes, 98-83, in a CCAA Tournament matchup. The meeting was a rematch of last year's championship game that was won by the Golden Eagles for their first-ever tournament title in 2024.

On Thursday, the Golden Eagles fell into an early 23-6 hole and had an uphill battle the rest of the way. Cal State LA (12-17) battled back tenaciously like they had all season long, but the Coyotes simply wouldn't be stopped.

Corey Cofield II had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Shane Bell had 22 points, three rebounds, three assists and four steals.

Charlie Henderson led Cal State San Bernardino (22-10) with 28 points, while Andrew Henderson had 25 points and seven rebounds.

Dominic Escobar had 16 points for the Golden Eagles, while Jaden Lazo had 12 points, connecting on all four of his 3-point attempts.

Cal State LA shot 47 percent for the game (31-of-66) and was 4-of-13 from 3-point range. Cal State San Bernardino shot 60.3 percent (35-of-58) and was 14-of-23 from 3-point range. At one point, the Coyotes were 14-of-19 from 3-point range, which was the main reason they earned the victory.

Cal State LA was 17-of-21 from the free-throw line, while Cal State San Bernardino was 14-of-18. Cal State San Bernardino had a 36-26 rebounding edge, while Cal State LA forced 22 turnovers and committed only 12.

Cal State LA had a 5-4 lead following a Lazo 3-pointer, but the Coyotes scored the next 17 points to take a 21-5 lead. The Golden Eagles faced a 26-8 deficit before beginning the long uphill climb back. A 3-;pointer by Lazo made it a 37-29 game and a pair of free throws by Escobar got the Golden Eagles to within 39-31. The Coyotes built the lead back to 13 points before a late 3-pointer by Bell made it 46-36 at halftime.

A 3-pointer by Lazo and an offensive rebound basket by Cofield II got the Golden Eagles to within 67-60 with 11 minutes remaining. A three-point play by Cofield II and a 3-pointer by Lazo got the Golden Eagles to within 76-68 with 8:41 remaining and a layup by Escobar kept it at 78-70 with eight minutes remaining, but the Coyotes responded with a 7-1 run to increase the lead and led by double-digit margins the rest of the way.