Hot off the PacWest win over Point Loma, the Eagles returned to CU Arena for a matchup with the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds. Although the Eagles built an early lead, the Sunbird offense generated steam and pressured Concordia late in the first half. The Eagles buckled down and improved their record to 9-5 and 6-2 with the 81-61 victory. 

Walters works for the Eagles: The Eagles established an early lead, extending it to four on the layup drive from Portia Neale. Montana Walters stayed hot form the previous win over Point Loma, where she put up 22 points, and made her first two three-point attempts along with an assist on a hail mary pass down the court to Kennedy Fulcher . With only two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Walters made it a hat-trick by hitting her third consecutive deep shot. The Eagles ended the first quarter with a 25-16 lead.

Michaela Vanderklugt opened up the second with a layup on the pass from Reilly Walsh. The Sunbird offense gained traction, led by the play of Bree Alvarez, and cut the Eagle lead down to four. Morgan Bryant checked into the game and produced immediately. After drawing a foul on the drive, she converted her made lay up into a three-point play. Alvarez finished the first half with 21 points for the Sunbirds while Walters finished with 13.       

Defense digs deep: With Fresno Pacific pressuring, Walters scored a bucket before Neale and Vanderklugt followed up with back to back three-pointers. Alvarez was showing no sign of slowing down for the Sunbirds, but the Eagles utilized rebounding on both sides of the court along with a quick offense to maintain a double digit lead and contain their opponent to a nine point quarter.

With under five to go, Seng sent a deep corner shot through the hoop on the pass from Walsh to extend the lead to 20. Concordia continued its tough defense, and held the Sunbirds to just 14 points in the final quarter. 

Eagle Eye: In just her second start this season, Walters posted a season high of 25 points with three assists and one steal. She shot 10-15 from the field and buried 5-9 shots from behind the arch. Neale added 12 points, six rebounds and three assists. Vanderklugt and Fulcher each had 11 points and combined for eight boards. Friauf led the team with 10 rebounds to go along with nine points. 

What's Next: Following a short break, the Eagles travel to La Mirada, Calif. to battle with Biola University at 5:30 p.m. on January 13th.  Biola is currently 7-4 and 2-4 in conference play.