SAN MARCOS -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team started slowly and never could pick up steam in a conference-opening loss at Cal State San Marcos on Thursday.

The Golden Eagles trailed by 12 points after one quarter and then managed only 16 points after halftime in a 73-43 loss to the Cougars in the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener for both schools in the Sports Center. Cal State LA (3-2, 0-1 CCAA) had entered the game with the conference's highest-scoring offense, but Cal State San Marcos (4-2, 1-0 CCAA) limited the Golden Eagles to just 14 baskets and only four 3-pointers. The Cougars allowed just under 59 points per game entering Thursday's game and improved on that stat with their performance.

Lily Buggs led the Golden Eagles with 11 points and four rebounds and hit all six of her free-throw attempts. Donja Payne had eight points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Cal State San Marcos got a game-high 15 points and 11 rebounds from Jordan Vasquez, 12 points and four assists from Mina Tameilau and 10 points from Charity Gallegos.

Gabriella Rones and Iyanna Lamb had six points each for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA shot just 26.4 percent for the game (14-of-53) and was just 4-of-18 from 3-point range. Cal State San Marcos shot 47.4 percent (27-of-57) and was 8-of-19 from 3-point range. The Cougars also had a 47-34 rebounding edge and both teams committed 14 turnovers.

The Golden Eagles gave up the first four points of the game and never led. A pair of free throws by Alicia Jones and a 3-pointer by Lily Buggs brought them to within 6-5, but the Cougars went on a 13-0 run to open up a 19-5 lead and had a 25-13 lead after one quarter.

A 3-pointer by Nicole Flennaugh got the Golden Eagles to within 10 points at 29-19, but Cal State San Marcos pushed the lead to 43-27 at halftime.

Things didn't get any better in the second half for the Golden Eagles, who managed just 16 points in the second half - eight points in each quarter.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday with a road game at Sonoma State.