The Cal State LA men’s basketball team won its first game of the season on Nov. 13 against Fresno Pacific, 86-59, culminating in head coach Jim Saia’s 300 career win as a head coach. Saia started as a head coach at Fresno Pacific in 2007, before jumping to CCAA conference rival Cal State San Marcos in 2010, and eventually Cal State LA in 2016. Saia’s time in Fresno is fond, especially because he met his wife there.
“Fresno Pacific was the only school that wanted me so I started there,” said Saia. “It’s interesting how things come full circle … we played Fresno Pacific tonight and I got 300 wins against the school I kind of started with.”
The Golden Eagles won the game in dominant fashion, led by forward Corey Cofield II’s strong offensive outing; 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a team leading five steals, as well as stellar defense that saw 17 steals and seven blocks. Cal State LA immediately got off to a hot start, running away with the lead early in the first half.
A myriad of threes helped pad the lead, six in the first half alone. Cal State LA also took advantage of the fouls Fresno Pacific committed and made 10 of their 14 free throws in the first half. The eight steals in the half kept Fresno Pacific at bay, and the Golden Eagles led 44-34 heading into the second half.
The second half featured more of the same, with Cal State LA absolutely dominating on both sides of the ball. They continued shooting from behind the arc, but at a lesser pace and made four of 10 in the half. They weren’t fouled as much so they didn’t receive as many opportunities at free points, but they kept their foot on the gas nonetheless.
The defense got even better in the second half, limiting Fresno Pacific to only 25 points through 10 steals, five blocks and 17 rebounds and Cal State LA secured the game 86-59. The offense capitalized on 15 second chance points and 46 points off turnovers to propel them to the victory.
This was the first win of the season for the Golden Eagles after they started off 0-2. The Golden Eagles lost a few key players after last season, and are still looking to find the right team to lead them to an even greater success than last season.
“We’re trying to find the right lineup and I think tonight we found, we kind of know how we’re going to play now and who our starters are going to be and I think that’s a big thing,” said Saia.
Cal State LA was fortunate enough to keep the core of their starting team for one final hoorah: Cofield and guards Shane Bell, Dominic Escobar and Jaden Lazo. Saia has toyed around with the fifth starter, starting forward Kyjuan Cannady, twice so far, and forward Robin Kniss for one game. Chemistry among the group has been a work in progress.
“The core has pretty good chemistry,” said Saia. “It’s the bench players. The way we play, it’s hard to teach. We’re a 0.5 second offense, quick pass, quick shot, quick drive … to get our guys to do that is a mental fight, but they’re getting better.”
Besides the starters, the bench has also been putting in the work so far. They’re currently averaging 25 points a game over the first three games of the season and look to keep producing. Cofield has stood out among the starters, averaging 20.6 points in the first three games and at least five rebounds and one steal in the process.
“I’m just letting the game come to me honestly, I’m not forcing it,” said Cofield. “All glory to God that I’m starting it this way and I’m still going to try to keep it going, keep my motor up and let it come to me.”
Cofield acknowledged that there’s still work to be done but they have made adjustments since their losses.
“Our defense and just the preparation overall,” said Cofield. “I think the games before, we kind of felt like we were prepared but we need to start over preparing for games so when they switch up stuff during the game, we’ll be prepared for that too.”
The Golden Eagles have a moment to breathe before they face off away at Azusa Pacific — the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season — on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. They come back for the first of a five-game homestand on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. in the University Gym against Vanguard University.
This article was first published in the November 21 print edition of the University Times.
