RIVERSIDE, Calif. - In the final game of the season for the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) men's basketball team, the Eagles held a lead in the second half but could not hold on as La Sierra University came back to edge ERAU, 80-75 in a California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) game. Sophomore Nick Johnson (Anthem, Ariz.) recorded his sixth double-double of the season with team highs of 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Embry-Riddle (10-14, 4-10 Cal Pac) jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game, pushing its lead to 19-5 six minutes in on a three-pointer from sophomore Gilbert Ibarra (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) and a shot by junior Joseph Jewell (Louisville, Ky.). The Eagles could only pick up one more field goal over the next six minutes and La Sierra (9-19, 5-9 Cal Pac) took advantage with a 15-2 run that pulled them within on at 21-20 on a shot by Saladine Ganda.

From there it stayed close the rest of the half, with the lead changing hands eight times in the final seven minutes. The Golden Eagles grabbed a 35-34 lead with 3:07 left on a pair of free throws, but a pair of baskets from sophomore Trace Edmier (Mesa, Ariz.) gave ERAU a 38-35 advantage at the half.

Embry-Riddle maintained its lead in the opening minutes of the second half, building it to nine points midway through the half on a trey by junior Ryan Skurdal (Meridian, Idaho) that made it 58-49. A minute and a half later the Eagles were up by 11 after a basket by Jewell, but La Sierra came up with eight straight points to cut its deficit to three with seven minutes to play.

With 5:44 left a three by DJ Everage tied the game before a pair of free throws put the Golden Eagles up 64-62. Embry-Riddle was never able to regain the lead after that as the Golden Eagles held ERAU to just two field goals the rest of the way to come away with the win.