Box Score: Coyotes 75, Cal State L.A. 71

SAN BERNARDINO -- A rare three-game losing streak came to a resounding end against a team Cal State San Bernardino has had its way with for more than a decade.

Sophomore Kwame Alexander scored 22 points with seven rebounds including three dunks that helped the Coyotes to a 75-71 win over Cal State L.A before 731 at Coussoulis Arena.

The Coyotes are now 11-8 overall and 9-6 in the CCAA and defeated the Golden Eagles for the 13th straight time inside Coussoulis Arena. It also marked the 17th win in 18 games for Coyotes coach Jeff Oliver over CSULA.

This was a night that saw CSUSB snap a three-game losing streak against CCAA teams. That hadn't happened since the 2005-06 season.

CSUSB held double-digit leads for large portion of the second half. But CSULA, now 12-8. 8-8, did not go away quietly and made the Coyotes work for the win.

After Alexander's free throw put the Coyotes ahead 60-49 with 8:01 left, the Golden Eagles made a 19-10 run in less than seven minutes and cut the Coyotes' lead 70-68 on Bussey Ellis' jumper with 1:19 left.

Alexander's free throws pushed the Coyotes to a four-point lead at 72-68 and after an errant 3-pointer from David Norris, teammate Carl Hoffman got the offensive rebound, but blew a 3-footer.

Cory Caston hit a pair of free throws after a foul from Chris Robinson and CSUSB led 74-68 with 25 seconds left.

Hoffman converted a 3-point play on the Golden Eagles' next possession with 11 seconds left, but Caston iced the game with another free throw.

The Coyotes held the edge at the free throw line, outscoring their foe 24-11 and shot 43.1 percent (22-51) from the field.

Senior Aaron Hill had 12 points and Caston and senior Robbie Robinson each scored 11.

Junior Nate Roth returned after his injury last Saturday at CSU Monterey Bay and had four steals and four assists in 27 minutes.

The Coyotes return to  Coussoulis Arena on Friday night against Sonoma State.