LOS ANGELES — Freshman guard Julian Lopez scored a career-high 12 points with two key 3-pointers in the final minute, lifting the Cal State East Bay men's basketball team to a thrilling road win over Cal State LA, 75-73.

A native of Hacienda Heights in the Los Angeles area, Lopez sank a 3-pointer to put CSUEB ahead by one, 72-71, with 1:05 left to play. 

After two CSULA free throws put the Golden Eagles back on top, Lopez knocked down another three off an assist from sophomore Jesse Galloway to make it 75-73 with 13 seconds to go. 

Cal State LA's Shacquille Dawkins missed a 3-pointer at the other end as time expired, as the Pioneers won for the fourth time in their last six games overall, and fourth straight against CSULA.

Junior forward Zafir Williams had another dominant performance with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while senior Evan Wardlow recorded season-highs of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Galloway racked up seven assists off the bench.

The victory pulls Cal State East Bay (13-10, 9-8 CCAA) into fifth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings, ahead of Stanislaus State (13-10, 9-9).

It also Keeps CSUEB two games ahead of seventh-place Cal state San Marcos (11-12, 7-10) and 2.5 games up on Cal State LA and Cal State Dominguez Hills for eighth.

The top eight teams in the conference standings qualify for the CCAA Tournament beginning March 3.

Cal State East Bay trailed by 11 at halftime, 75-73, but quickly rallied to take a 44-42 lead on senior Trent Warren's layup with 13:52 remaining. However, Cal State LA responded with an 11-3 run to go back ahead 65-54 with 5:45 to play.

The Pioneers return to action next Saturday, Feb. 15, as they take on "Battle of the Bays" rival Cal State Monterey Bay in Seaside, Calif., beginning at 7:30 p.m.