LOS ANGELES – Cal State LA's women's basketball team saw a good start unravel in a non-conference loss to Central Washington on Wednesday.
 
The Golden Eagles jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead, but managed only eight points in both the second and third quarters and fell to the Wildcats, 62-52, in the Eagles Nest. Cal State LA (3-5) shot just 33 percent in the second half, while Central Washington (7-2) shot 55 percent.
 
Cal State LA led 19-14 after one quarter and was tied at halftime, 27-27. Central Washington, though, outscored the Golden Eagles, 21-8, in the third quarter and kept a comfortable margin throughout the fourth period.
 
Ali Orlich had a team-high 13 points for the Golden Eagles, while Rikke Fabricius had 11 points. Chiara DiMarco and Franeka Hall had seven points each.
 
Jasmin Edwards had a game-high 14 points and five assists for Central Washington, while Jasmine Parker had 10 points. Mandy Steward and India Matheson had nine points each.
 
Cal State LA shot 38.3 percent for the game (18-of-47) and connected on 5-of-13 shots from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 11-of-15 from the free-throw line. Central Washington was 21-of-41 from the field (51.2 percent) and 4-of-13 from 3-point range. The Wildcats were 16-of-26 from the line.
 
Central Washington had a 27-23 rebounding edge, while Cal State LA made 21 turnovers to 20 for the Wildcats.
 
Things started well for the Golden Eagles and they took a quick 10-2 lead. Fabricius started the scoring with a three-point play and layups by Knox and Orlich, a free throw by Knox and a layup by DiMarco gave the Golden Eagles their eight-point advantage.
 
After Central Washington cut the margin to just one point, 15-14, a layup by Hall and a steal by Knox that led to a jumper by DiMarco made it 19-14 after one quarter.
 
Central Washington scored the first five points of the second quarter to tie it at 19-19 before the Golden Eagles regained the lead on a layup by Hall. A three-pointer by Orlich put the Golden Eagles back ahead, 24-22 and a three-pointer by Hall gave the Golden Eagles a 27-25 lead. A pair of free throws by Melanie Valdez made it 27-27 at halftime.
 
Cal State LA gave up the first four points of the third quarter and trailed the rest of the way. The Golden Eagles trailed by just five points, 38-33 after a free throw by Fabricius, but Central Washington closed the quarter on a 10-2 run to take a 48-35 lead.
 
A three-pointer by Samantha Lee got the margin to 10 points, 51-41, with 7:37 remaining, but that was as close as the Golden Eagles would get.
 
Cal State LA will resume California Collegiate Athletic Association play on Friday with a home game against Cal State San Bernardino.