LOS ANGELES — One of the nation's best defenses stood strong for the final three minutes Saturday, holding host Cal State LA at bay to earn a 62-60 California Collegiate Athletic Association road victory at University Gym.
 
Stanislaus State (8-13, 5-11 CCAA) led the entire second half after outscoring the Golden Eagles (6-13, 3-10 CCAA), 40-26, in the first 20 minutes of the game. But Cal State LA slowly worked itself back after halftime, finally pulling even at 60-60 with three minutes to play after consecutive free throws from Ben Uloko.
 
Those would be the last points the Golden Eagles would score. Stan State - which entered the weekend with the nation's No. 8 scoring defense - forced two turnovers and held Cal State LA to 0 for 3 shooting over the final three minutes. On the other end, Tony Singleton made up for back-to-back turnovers by sinking a jump shot with only 1:53 to play, putting the Warriors up, 62-60.
 
Stanislaus State had three players score in double figures, led by Luis Salgado's 15 points. Singleton scored 14, and Benno Zecic had 11. Travion Williams led the team with nine rebounds and three blocks.
 
Cal State LA also had three players with double-digit points. Uloko led all players with 18. Alexander Sokol scored 16, and Kyjuan Cannady chipped in 11. Stanislaus State outrebounded the Golden Eagles, 34-28, and scored 23 points off 21 CSULA turnovers.
 
Stanislaus State shot 55.2% (16 for 29) in the first half while running out to a 14-point halftime advantage. Matt Bender's basket in the paint five minutes into the game gave the Warriors a 7-5 lead – one they wouldn't surrender until the Golden Eagles tied it with three minutes left. Then Cal State LA flipped the script in the second, shooting 50% itself, including 50% from 3-point range (6 for 12). An 11-3 push over a 4 1/2-minute span is what closed the final gap for CSULA.
 
The Warriors next return home for their final two games of 2021-22. They host Cal State East Bay for Homecoming on Thursday, then host Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday for Senior Night. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.