LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team gave an outstanding effort on Saturday, but came up just short in a tough loss to Cal State San Marcos.

The Golden Eagles took a one-point lead in the final minute, but the Cougars regained the lead with a 3-pointer and were 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the waning seconds to close out a 71-66 California Collegiate Athletic Association victory in University Gym. Cal State LA (7-17, 6-12 CCAA) slips three games behind Cal State San Marcos (12-11, 9-9 CCAA) and Cal State San Bernardino, who are tied for fifth, with four conference games remaining. The top six teams qualify for the conference tournament.

Khemanni Davis had a game-high 18 points and six rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Jordan Hansen had 15 points, including back-to-back 3-pointers that put the Golden Eagles ahead by one point late in the game. Isaiah Fields had nine points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Micah Boone had 14 points for the Cougars, while Max Tengen had 12 points and Dexter Stratton had 10 points.

Michael Pearson Jr. had nine points for the Golden Eagles , while Donovan Vickers and Deraje Agbaosi had five points each.

Cal State LA shot 41.5 percent for the game (22-of-53) and was 11-of-33 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 11-of-14 from the free-throw line. Cal State San Marcos shot 53.7 percent (29-of-54) and was 7-of-17 from 3-point range. The Cougars were 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. Cal State San Marcos had a 32-27 rebounding edge and committed 12 turnovers to 10 for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA got off to a strong start and took a 13-5 lead after a 3-pointer by Fields, but the Cougars countered with a 10-2 run to tie the game at 15-15. A dunk by Agbaosi and a 3-pointer by Connor Scales gave the Golden Eagles a 20-15 edge. A 3-pointer by Pearson Jr. and a layup by Davis gave the Golden Eagles a 31-27 lead, but the Cougars scored the final five points of the period to take a 32-31 halftime lead.

A 3-pointer by Pearson Jr. and a jumper by Vickers gave the Golden Eagles a 42-37 lead with 15:44 to go, but the Cougars went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead. Fields gave the Golden Eagles a 46-44 lead, but the Cougars scored the next seven points to grab a 51-46 edge.

The Golden Eagles trailed 64-59 before Hansen hit a pair of 3-pointers to give the Golden Eagles a 65-64 lead with 40 seconds left. Aaron Ragen, though, hit a clutch 3-pointer for the Cougars to give them the lead. Agbaosi made one free throw to get the Golden Eagles within 67-66, but the Cougars got four more free throws in the waning seconds to preserve their advantage.

Cal State LA will return to action on Thursday with a road game at UC Merced.