LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team put up a good battle, but couldn't slow down unbeaten Northwest Nazarene.

The Golden Eagles had four players score in double figures, but the Nighthawks shot 50.8 percent for the game and took a 79-69 decision Wednesday night in University Gym. Cal State LA (0-3) has played three of the top four-ranked teams in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference to open the season.

Mackenzie Barnes had a career-high 26 points to lead the Golden Eagles, while Rikke Fabricius had a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double.

Marina Valles had 18 points to lead Northwest Nazarene (3-0), while Danielle Jardine had 16 points and seven rebounds.

Christine Delapina had 11 points and eight assists, while Alyssa Fisher had 11 points and two rebounds.

Cal State LA shot 39.3 percent (24-of-61), while Northwest Nazarene shot 50.8 percent (32-of-63). The Golden Eagles were just 5-of-21 from 3-point range (23.8 percent), while the Nighthawks were 3-of-10 (30 percent). Cal State LA was 16-of-20 from the free-throw line, while Northwest Nazarene was 12-of-19.

Northwest Nazarene had a 40-34 rebounding edge, while both teams had 14 turnovers.

Cal State LA's best quarter was the first, when the Golden Eagles led by as many as eight points, 18-10, following a 3-pointer by Fabricius. After the Nighthawks cut the deficit to four points, Barnes hit a 3-pointer to give Cal State LA a 21-14 lead heading into the second period.

The second 10-minute period was a tough one for the Golden Eagles, who were outscored, 23-9, and fell behind at halftime, 37-30.

Cal State LA opened the second half with a 9-2 run and tied the game at 39-39 after five straight points from Barnes. A pair of free throws by Fabricius kept the margin at 51-49 in the final minute of the period, but Northwest Nazarene scored the last four points to take a 55-49 lead into the fourth.

A layup by Fabricius made it 55-51 and a pair of free throws by Barnes kept it at 57-53 with 8:11 to go, but the Nighthawks scored the next seven points and led the rest of the way.

Cal State LA will open California Collegiate Athletic Association play on Friday with a home game against Cal State Monterey Bay at 5:30 p.m.