Fullerton , Calif. - The men's basketball season got underway, as the Golden Eagles travelled to #9 Hope International University, losing 71-89, in Thursday's season opener. La Sierra struggled to shake the first game jitters in the first half of play, before settling down to win the second half. But the team was unable to overcome a 21-point first half deficit.

The Royals started the contest on an 11-0 run and never looked back. They shot 66-percent from the field in the first half and took a 49-28 lead into the halftime break. The Golden Eagles came out a more relaxed group in the second half, winning the half 43-41, but it was too little too late for the Golden Eagles. Despite the loss, La Sierra did win the battle on the boards by a margin of 44-38.

Freshmen Duane Darrett Jr. led the team in scoring, with 18 points, on 6-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc. Kyle Hamilton was the only other Golden Eagles player to score in double figures, with a total of 16 points. Saladine Ganda and Jacob Angel led the team in rebounding with nine rebounds and seven rebounds, respectively.

The men's basketball team will play their second of three straight Golden State Athletic Conference opponents, when the team travels to Vanguard University, Saturday night, at 8pm. The Lions are currently 2-0 on the young season and hold a 4-1 advantage, all time, between the two programs.