Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Northwestern College headed about as far west as you could go in the lower 48 United States to play in a holiday tournament hosted by California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The Eagles suffered a pair of losses at the Best Western Posada Royale Classic and are excited to shift their attention to Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play, which begins on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Northwestern's first opponent was the host institution, Cal Lutheran. Despite trailing 41-27 at the half, the Eagles came back to win the second half before the buzzer sounded with the Regals claiming a 63-51 victory.  NWC out-rebounded Cal Lutheran, but 25 turnovers haunted the Eagles, as did the rim as the Purple and Gold finished with a 31.3 percent shooting rate in the game.

Three Eagles finished in double digits for scoring, with Mollie Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) leading the way with 17 points on 5-13 shooting. Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) added 11 points to go with Kristin Sczublewski (Pierz, Minn./Pierz)'s 10, while Jessica Fife (Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo) battled underneath the hoop to collect 15 rebounds.

Cal Lutheran countered with a 39 percent shooting mark behind Jazmyne Porter, who made six of 12 attempts for 16 points, adding six boards.

In a 72-50 loss to Albion College (Mich.) the next day, Northwestern shot the ball better, but turnovers continued to be a struggle for the Eagles. NWC made nearly half of its attempts from the floor at 47.5 percent, but Albion's rebounding gave the Britons extra opportunities. Albion scored 23 points off of Northwestern's turnovers while owning a 14-0 advantage in second chance points.

Sir was once again the Eagles' scoring leader with 13 points as the sophomore made half of her 10 attempts and three three-point field goals. Sczublewski chipped in 11 points on 5-11 shooting, while Fife added eight points and seven boards.

Nicole Dennis had 20 points for Albion, who improved to 7-5 overall with the victory.

Following the game, Sir was named to the all-Classic team.

Northwestern returns to Minnesota with a 3-8 overall record. The Eagles will be happy to shift their attention to 2012, and more importantly, their UMAC schedule, which will begin on Jan. 10 against Crown College. NWC will face the Storm in St. Bonifacius, Minn., with the game scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.