MALIBU -- Cal State LA's women's basketball team turned in an encouraging performance against NCAA Division I Pepperdine in a competitive game on Saturday.

The Golden Eagles trailed by just two points at halftime and were within striking distance until the end of an 80-72 loss to the Waves in Firestone Fieldhouse. Cal State LA (4-2) got another outstanding game from Nevaeh Asiasi as the Golden Eagles played in their sixth straight game away from home to start the season.

Asiasi matched her career high of 25 points that she set last Saturday in a conference win at Cal State San Bernardino and was just one rebound shy of her second straight double-double. Mariah Blake had 12 points and five rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Ariyah Smith had 12 points in her return to the court.

Sharna Preston had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Pepperdine (7-2), while Elli Guiney had 15 points and Meghan Fiso had 12 points.

Sofia Fidelus was just one point shy of a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Kyara Walter had six points via a pair of 3-pointers.

Cal State LA shot 37.5 percent for the game (27-of-72) was was 11-of-33 from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles were just 7-of-15 from the free-throw line. Pepperdine shot 44.3 percent (31-of-70) and was 8-of-24 from 3-point range. The Waves were 10-of-13 from the free-throw line. Pepperdine had a 47-40 rebounding edge and committed 11 turnovers to only eight for the Golden Eagles.

After falling into an early 13-5 hole, the Golden Eagles fought back and got 3-pointers from Amaya Fuentes, Fidelus and Smith as part of an 11-2 run that gave them their first lead at 16-15. Back-to-back baskets from Asiasi gave the Golden Eagles their biggest lead at 20-17 before Pepperdine recovered to take a 24-20 after one quarter.

Blake and Asiasi hit 3-pointers to open the second quarter to give the Golden Eagles a 26-24 lead and a 3-pointer by Smith put the Golden Eagles ahead, 29-26. Baskets by Paige Worthem and Fidelus gave the Golden Eagles a 35-32 lead before Pepperdine scored the last five points of the quarter to take a 37-35 halftime lead.

Pepperdine took control in the third quarter and opened up leads as large as 15 points, although a basket by Asiasi and a 3-pointer by Walter got the Golden Eagles to within 10 points, 59-49, after three quarters.

Cal State LA got to within eight points several times in the fourth quarter, but couldn't get any closer as Pepperdine was able to preserve its advantage down the stretch.

Cal State LA will play its home opener on Monday against No. 17 Central Washington at noon.