LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team closed out the first half of the California Collegiate Athletic Association schedule with a victory Thursday night, but it certainly wasn't easy.

The Golden Eagles erased a 40-32 halftime deficit with a 36-point third quarter and held off Cal State Dominguez Hills, 87-83, in University Gym. Cal State LA (11-5, 8-3 CCAA) remains in sole possession of fourth place in the conference at the halfway point, one game back of third-place Cal Poly Humboldt, which handed Cal Poly Pomona its first conference loss on Thursday.

Sofia Fidelus had 19 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals for the Golden Eagles, while Ariyah Smith had 17 points and 10 assists for her first double-double of the season.

Anela Thomas had a sensational game for Cal State Dominguez Hills (4-12, 4-7 CCAA), pouring in a game-high 30 points that included a 5-of-5 performance from 3-point range. Amaya Washington had 14 points and Bryanne Lopez-Wood had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Amaya Fuentes had 15 points and four rebounds for the Golden Eagles and was 6-of-7 from the floor. Nevaeh Asiasi had 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. Ronyae Jackson had eight points and three rebounds, while Mariah Blake had seven points and six rebounds.

Cal State LA shot 47 percent for the game (31-of-66), but was just 3-of-13 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 22-of-33 from the free-throw line. Cal State Dominguez Hills shot 46.8 percent (29-of-62) and was a sizzling 10-of-19 from 3-point range. The Toros were 15-of-21 from the free-throw line. Cal State LA had a 39-34 rebounding edge and committed 15 turnovers to 20 for the Toros.

Cal State LA led early and took a 23-21 advantage after one period. The Toros, though, caught fire in the second quarter and led by as many as nine points before settling for a 40-32 lead at the break.

Cal State LA played its best basketball in the third quarter, outscoring the Toros, 36-21, and taking the lead. The Golden Eagles trailed, 47-38, with eight minutes to go in the period, and still trailed, 56-53, before going on a 15-5 run to close out the period. Asiasi gave the Golden Eagles a 61-59 lead with a 3-pointer and, after a pair of free throws by Leilani Abraham tied it, a free throw by Asiasi, two free throws by Gabriella Rones and back-to-back layups from Fidelus and Blake gave the Golden Eagles a 68-61 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Golden Eagles got baskets by Blake and Smith to take a 74-63 lead and a 3-pointer by Asiasi pushed the lead to 77-65. Fidelus hit a basket to keep the margin at 12 points, 79-67, but the Toros kept battling and got the deficit down to five points, 81-76, with 2:44 left. A jumper by Fuentes made it 83-76 with 2:33 to go and a free throw by Smith kept it at 84-77 with 22 seconds left. A'moree Ferrell hit a 3-pointer for the Toros with 15 seconds left and was fouled, but the Golden Eagles escaped with a missed free throw and a turnover. Fidelus hit two free throws for an 86-80 lead before Thomas hit another 3-pointer to make it 86-83 with three seconds left. Smith hit the second of two free throws to account for the final margin.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with the second of back-to-back games with Cal State Dominguez Hills, this one in Carson at 1 p.m.