After one week off from game action, the Eagles returned to the court on Saturday, taking on the 5-3 Fresno Pacific Sunbirds.

With the game tied at six just three minutes into the game, FPU knocked in a three pointer to take the lead.  They never looked back and led the rest of the way.  The Sunbirds then went on a 7-0 run to open up a comfortable lead.  At the end of the first quarter, FPU led 17-9.  Rachal Jasmine led the Eagles with five points in the opening quarter. 

In the second quarter, the Eagles picked it up offensively, but the Sunbirds were able to do enough to hold them off and extend the lead.  After a three pointer by Tiana Lowery cut the lead to four, the Sunbirds scored the next eight points to stretch the lead up to double digits.  At halftime, the Eagles trailed 32-19.

Despite the halftime deficit, there were positives for the Eagles.  They outrebounded the Sunbirds in the first half as Riley Friauf and Kennedy Fulcher each collected seven.  The defense was solid as well, holding CPU to just 36.4 percent from the floor.

Michaela Vanderklugt opened up the second half with a quick bucket, and one minute later, Friauf made a free throw to cut the lead to 10, but four quick points by the FPU extended the lead to 14.  The Eagles struggled the rest of the way in the third quarter.  Three minutes into the third, the score was 38-24, but an 11-2 run by FPU busted the game wide open.  The Eagles scored the next four, but then FPU went on a 9-0 run.  By the end of the quarter, the Eagles trailed by 24.

In the fourth quarter, the Eagles outscored the Sunbirds 13-8.  The final score was FPU 66, CUI 47.  Friauf led CUI with nine points and VanderKlugt led all players with 17 rebounds.  Fulcher led the Eagles with five assists. 

Concordia's next game is at home against Seattle Pacific on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at CU Arena at 1:00 pm and admission is free.

For the full Concordia women's basketball schedule click here.