SAN BERNARDINO (Jan. 1, 2015) -- Junior guard Jacob Thomas stood out in the Coyotes' 69-62 victory over Cal State L.A., scoring 31 points including five 3-pointers in 38 minutes of play in CCAA men's basketball play at Coussoulis Arena.

The Coyotes held double-digit leads for much of the game, but needed five straight free throws in the game's final 16 seconds to secure the win. CSUSB ended its four-game losing streak and takes a 3-5 overall record and 3-2 CCAA slate in Saturday night's home contest against Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Thomas hit three 3-pointers in less than a two-minute span in the early going and CSUSB led by as much as 30-16 in the first half. A 15-4 run by the Golden Eagles in the final 4:59 of the half put the halftime score 34-31 Coyotes.

CSUSB had its chance to put the game completely out of reach when the Golden Eagles were held scoreless in a 10-minute stretch in the final half. After a CSULA free throw that pulled it to within six (45-39) at the 16:15 mark, the Coyotes scored 11 straight points with four different players contributing and they led 56-39 on Abdi Faras's dunk with 8:26 left.

Justin Snavely ended the scoreless stretch with a 3-pointer with 5:50 remaining and CSUSB ahead 56-42.

CSUSB led by 14 on two more occasions, but CSULA nipped back with a 7-0 run and trailed 61-54 on Joshua Munzon's 3-pointer with 55 seconds left.

But the Coyotes never lost the lead.

Thomas, who hit for 25 in the Coyotes' last game, a 72-66 loss to Western Washington, was 9-of-19 from the floor. He hit 8 of 11 free throws, along with four rebounds, two assists and three steals.

Senior Taylor Statham also was sound with 15 points. He had three 3's before fouling out late in the game. Senior Gilbert Parga had nine points -- all in the first half.

Munzon and Joel Brokenbrough each had 10 points for the Golden Eagles (4-5, 2-3).

Faras and Everett Turner had six points apiece for CSUSB.