NAMPA, IDAHO -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team had a tremendous start against nationally-ranked Northwest Nazarene on Saturday before falling in a quality battle.

The Golden Eagles raced out to a 10-point lead in the opening quarter, but Northwest Nazarene evened the contest by halftime and then went on to a 86-72 victory over the Golden Eagles in a non-conference contest. Northwest Nazarene (9-0) is the only undefeated team remaining in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and is ranked No. 7 in the country by the D2SIDA and No. 10 in the nation by the WBCA.

Cal State LA (3-3) dropped its third straight game, but delivered one of its best performances of the young season.

Chiderah Uzowuru scored a career-high 22 points and five rebounds to lead the Golden Eagles. Madison Adams scored 20 points for the second time this season after hitting 6-of-9 from 3-point range. She had scored a career-high 22 points last month in a home win over Stanislaus State.

Christine Delapina had 10 points and eight assists.

Marina Valles and Ellie Logan had 13 points each to lead five Northwest Nazarene players in double figures.

Rachael DiRegolo had seven points and two rebounds for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA shot 43.4 percent (23-of-53) for the game and made 7-of-18 from 3-point range. Northwest Nazarene shot 44.8 percent (30-of-67) and made 9-of-18 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were 19-of-27 from the free-throw line, while Northwest Nazarene was 17-of-21.

The Golden Eagles struggled on the boards and were out-rebounded, 45-26. Cal State LA committed 17 turnovers and forced 16.

Uzowuru scored Cal State LA's first seven points and staked the Golden Eagles to a quick 7-2 lead. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Adams and a basket by Rebeccah DiRegolo gave the Golden Eagles their biggest lead of the game, 21-11, and a basket by Jolene Robinson gave the Golden Eagles a 25-16 lead after one quarter.

A three-point play by Uzowuru gave the Golden Eagles a 34-27 lead with 4:05 left in the first half, but Northwest Nazarene went on an 11-4 run to make it 38-38 at halftime.

A 3-pointer by Delapina and a three-point play by Rachael DiRegolo gave the Golden Eagles a 46-41 lead and two free throws by Uzowuru made it 48-45 with 5:51 remaining in the third period. Northwest Nazarene, though, went on an 18-6 run to take a 63-54 lead entering the fourth period.

A 3-pointer by Adams cut the deficit to 64-57 with 8:14 to go and another 3-pointer by Adams made it 72-64 with four minutes to go, but the Golden Eagles couldn't get any closer.

Cal State LA will return to action next Sunday in a conference contest at Cal State Monterey Bay.