by US Fed News

Cal State L.A.'s men's basketball team had its chances, but came up just short against one of the California Collegiate Athletic Association's unbeaten teams. The Golden Eagles shook off a cold first-half shooting percentage and surged to some second-half leads, but UC San Diego came up big down the stretch and Cal State L.A. fell, 68-64, Friday night in the RIMAC Arena. Cal State L.A. (6-5, 1-3 CCAA) had a five-game winning streak snapped by the Tritons (6-3, 3-0 CCAA). Chris Fields had 19 points and five rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Artis Gant had 18 points and five assists and Donte Bell chipped in with 14 points and four assists. Chris Mark had eight points and eight assists.

Kelvin Kim had 16 points to lead four Tritons in double figures. Shane Poppen had 15 points and 12 rebounds, Alan Husted had 11 points and five assists and Brett Stuckey had 10 points and five rebounds. UC San Diego enjoyed a 40-25 rebounding edge that included a 15-6 edge in offensive boards. It was a well-played game with the teams combining for only 16 turnovers - nine by the Tritons and just seven by the Golden Eagles. Cal State L.A. struggled from the field in the first half, making only six of 24 attempts (25 percent) and making only one of eight 3-point tries. The Golden Eagles trailed by just eight at the half, 29-21, despite their shooting woes. Cal State L.A. shot much better in the second half, knocking down 14 of 25 attempts (56 percent), including five of 11 tries from 3-point range. Cal State L.A. finished the game shooting 40.8 percent. UC San Diego shot 44 percent for the game, 40 percent in the first half and 48 percent in the second. The Golden Eagles got off to a quick start and even held a 10-4 lead following a 3-pointer by Tyler Polo. Cal State L.A., though, then went ice cold and UC San Diego went on a 20-5 run to take a 24-15 lead. Cal State L.A. opened the second half with a 13-4 run and took its first lead of the second half, 34-33, after a 3-pointer by Fields. A three-point play by Bell and two free throws by Bell gave the Golden Eagles a 41-37 edge. A 3-pointer by Gant gave the Golden Eagles a 54-50 lead with 5:50 remaining. A 3-pointer by Husted tied it at 55-55 with 3:21 to go before a free throw by Bell gave the Golden Eagles a 56-55 edge with 2:33 remaining. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Kim and Kirby Ruiz gave the Tritons a 61-56 lead, but the Golden Eagles pulled to within two points, 61-59, after a 3-pointer by Gant with 1:14 to go. After a Kim layup, Gant hit two free throws to make it 63-61 with 36 seconds left. Husted hit two more free throws for the Tritons to extend the lead to 65-61, but Fields hit a 3-pointer to cut the margin to one point, 65-64 with 27 seconds remaining. Kim hit one free throw with 23 seconds left to give the Tritons a 66-64 lead, but the Golden Eagles missed two free throws with 10 seconds remaining and Stuckey hit two free throws with eight seconds left to ice it. Cal State L.A. will return to action next Friday with a home game against Cal State Monterey Bay.For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

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