CARSON -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team got its 2024-25 season off to a strong start with a big win over Seattle Pacific on Friday in the Torodome.

Gabriella Rones had 13 points and Olivia Hodges had 12 points and four rebounds and the Golden Eagles outscored the Falcons, 41-26, and went on to a 76-56 victory in the Torodome in the CCAA/GNAC Classic. Cal State LA (1-0) picked up a win over Seattle Pacific for the second straight season.

The Golden Eagles, who came into the game fresh off an exhibition contest at Long Beach State on Wednesday, trailed early, 9-2, before turning things around to lead 20-18 after one period. The Golden Eagles extended their lead in each quarter after that and never trailed in the second half.

Lily Buggs had nine points, five rebounds and three blocks, Nevaeh Asiasi had nine points, five rebounds and five assists and Sofia Fidelus had nine points and two rebounds for the Golden Eagles.

Layne Kearns had a team-high 15 points to lead Seattle Pacific.

Ashari Cassell had seven points for the Golden Eagles, while Ronyae Jackson and Mary Cotton had six points each. In all, 13 players received playing time and 10 players scored.

Cal State LA shot 46 percent for the game (29-of-63) and was 7-of-12 from 3-point range. Rones hit all three of her attempts. Seattle Pacific shot 31.9 percent (22-of-69) and was 4-of-15 from 3-point range. Cal State LA was 11-of-14 from the free-throw line, with Hodges hitting all six of her attempts, while Seattle Pacific was 8-of-14. 

Seattle Pacific had a 40-31 rebounding edge, while Cal State LA committed 12 turnovers while forcing 18.

The Golden Eagles trailed 15-8 in the opening quarter before getting two free throws from Hodges, two straight baskets by Fidelus and a go-ahead 3-pointer by Rones to make it 17-15. A three-point play by Fidelus gave the Golden Eagles a 20-17 lead before they settled for a 20-18 lead after one quarter.

Seattle Pacific led for the last time at 30-29 midway through the second quarter before back-to-back layups from Cassell and a basket by Amaya Fuentes gave the Golden Eagles a 35-30 halftime lead.

A 3-pointer by Rones and a three-point play from Buggs started a 13-0 run that broke the game open. Rones hit another 3-pointer and Cotton and Rones made baskets to stretch the lead to 48-32. Cal State LA led 56-39 after three quarters.

A 3-pointer by Asiasi gave the Golden Eagles a 61-41 lead and a layup by Asiasi gave them their biggest lead of the game at 69-47.

Cal State LA will conclude tournament play on Saturday against Western Washington at 3 p.m. in the Torodome.