LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team kept the good times rolling on Thursday night and locked up a California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament spot for a fifth straight season.
The Golden Eagles won their program-record 11th straight game on Thursday with a 76-64 win over Cal State Monterey Bay in University Gym. Cal State LA (17-5, 14-3 CCAA) remains in second place in the conference and clinched a spot in the conference tournament with five conference games still remaining.
Nevaeh Asiasi had another big game for the Golden Eagles, pouring in a game-high 26 points with four assists. She eclipsed 20 points for the 11th time this season and scored 25 or more points for the seventh time.
Mariah Blake had a career-high 16 points and eight rebounds, while
Sofia Fidelus had 12 points, four rebounds and six assists.
Jennifer Moreno Ortiz had 22 points and seven rebounds for Cal State Monterey Bay (11-11, 8-9 CCAA), while Cheyanne Whitfield had 16 points.
Ronyae Jackson had nine points for the Golden Eagles, while
Ariyah Smith had seven points and eight assists and
Amaya Fuentes had six points and four rebounds.
Cal State LA shot 47.7 percent for the game (31-of-65) and was just 2-of-13 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 12-of-15 from the free-throw line. Cal State Monterey Bay shot 43.1 percent (25-of-58) and was 6-of-17 from 3-point range. The Otters were 8-of-14 from the free-throw line. Cal State LA was out-rebounded, 39-28, but forced 24 turnovers while committing 14.
The Golden Eagles had their hands full early as the Otters led as late as 17-15 with 4:20 remaining in the opening period. Blake tied it with a basket and Asiasi gave the Golden Eagles a 19-17 lead. After the Otters tied it again at 19-19 and 21-21, the Golden Eagles scored the final seven points of the quarter on a go-ahead 3-pointer by Smith and back-to-back layups by Blake.
The Otters closed to within one point twice in the second quarter, but the Golden Eagles scored the final six points of the period and took a 45-33 halftime lead.
Cal State LA finally got some breathing room in the third quarter and took a 20-point lead after a steal and layup by Asiasi, 64-44, before settled for a 64-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Golden Eagles led by as many as 21 points in the fourth quarter, but the Otters fought back and got to within 10 points, 72-62, with 1:56 remaining. Asiasi scored the next four points to put the game out of reach.
Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Cal State San Marcos.