Riverside, Calif. - The women's basketball team played host to Hope International University on Tuesday night and fell by a final of 65-56, in a non-conference game. The Golden Eagles were unable to overcome a first quarter deficit. It's the fourth straight loss for the women's basketball team, who will look to get back into the win column on Saturday night.

It was the Golden Eagles who jumped out of the gates by scoring the first three baskets of the game to take an early 6-0 lead through the first three minutes of play. But the Royals answered back by outscoring the Golden Eagles 21-2 over the next seven minutes.

That 21-2 run ultimately proved to be the difference in the game as the two teams played relatively even after the first quarter of play. Both teams struggled with turnovers, as the two teams combined for 40 turnovers in the game. And the two teams each had a decent night from beyond the arc with the Royals shooting 55-percent (6-for-11) to La Sierra's 44-percent (7-for-16).

The Royals also outrebounded the Golden Eagles by a tally of 44-35, while shooting an impressive 87-percent (13-of-15) from the free-throw line.

Melody Gauthier led all scorers with 14 points, while senior post player Emily Terwilliger had a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Royals.

Elsie Mejia had 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, to lead the Golden Eagles. Amanda Sanchez and DeShields Fajardo each scored 10 points and pulled down four rebounds. Mikayla Stitt also contributed seven points and a team-high seven rebounds.

The women's basketball team, now 3-7 on the season, will play another non-conference home game this coming Saturday night. The team will host the University of La Verne in the second game of a doubleheader, with tip-off scheduled at approximately 8pm, following the conclusion of the men's non-conference match-up with Vanguard University.