ELLENSBURG, WA -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team had a rocky start to its 2017-18 season in a tough battle against host Central Washington.

The Golden Eagles shot just 27.7 percent from the floor and dropped a 70-55 decision Friday in their opening game of the Wildcat Crossover Challenge. Cal State LA (0-1) was just 5-of-31 from 3-point range and fell to the Wildcats. Central Washington was picked to finish third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while Cal State LA has been picked to finish fifth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Alyssa Fisher led four Golden Eagles in double figures with 16 points and two steals. Rikke Fabricius, the only senior on a young Cal State LA team, had a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, while Mackenzie Barnes also had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Christine Delapina had 11 points and four rebounds.

Sadie Mensing led Central Washington with 14 points, while Jasmin Edwards had 13 points and six assists.

Cal State LA held its own on the boards and held a 45-42 rebounding edge. The Golden Eagles also committed 16 turnovers to 14 for the Wildcats. The Golden Eagles simply couldn't overcome their cold shooting.

Cal State LA was just 18-of-65 from the floor, including 5-of-31 (16.1 percent) from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were just 2-of-17 from 3-point range in the second half. Central Washington was 24-of-54 from the floor (44.4 percent) and 4-of-13 from 3-point range. Cal State LA was 14-of-23 from the free-throw line, while Central Washington was 18-of-28. Fabricius was 10-of-12 from the free-throw line for Cal State LA.

The Golden Eagles surrendered the first four points of the game and never led. A 3-pointer by Fisher kept the Golden Eagles within 11-10 late in the first quarter and Cal State LA trailed, 15-11 entering the second period. Central Washington built a 10-point lead in the second period, but a pair of free throws by Fabricius and a 3-pointer by Delapina trimmed the deficit to 30-25 and the Golden Eagles ultimately trailed 32-25 at halftime.

Things didn't get any better for the Golden Eagles in the second half. Cal State LA trailed by 10 points, 48-38, after three quarters and trailed by double-digit margins the rest of the way.

Cal State LA will conclude play in the tournament on Saturday with a game against Alaska Anchorage.