El Cajon, Calif. - The Golden Eagles women's basketball team opened their 2015-16 campaign with a 63-51 loss at San Diego Christian. The young squad launched their season with three new faces in the starting line-up and a new coaching staff on the sidelines.

Aside from many new faces on the roster, it was the first game for both teams playing under the new four-quarter format adopted by the collegiate women's basketball rules committee this past spring.

The Golden Eagles (0-1) got off to a strong start and only trailed the Hawks 17-15 at the end of the first quarter. By the halftime break, the Hawks had extended their lead to 37-30. San Diego Christian helped their cause by shooting a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line in the first half.

Both teams struggled from the floor in the second half, but San Diego Christian was able to knock down three of their six 3-point attempts to outscore the Golden Eagles 26-21 over the final 20 minutes of play.

Freshmen post player Alexis Davis started her collegiate career with a double-double, with 12 points and 17 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for La Sierra was guard Chelsie Baham who finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

The Hawks had three players who scored in double figure, led by Berika Egberuare with 12 points. Alexa Arndt added a double-double of her own, with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The women's basketball team will be back in action this Saturday night when they travel to Biola University in the first game of back-to-back games against the Eagles. La Sierra will host Biola University on Tuesday, November 10, in their home opener.