Though much of the student body is away from campus for Christmas break, the season continued on Wednesday for the Concordia women's basketball team, taking on Seattle Pacific University at CU Arena. 

The Eagles got off to a hot shooting start.  In the first quarter, they racked up 22 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and knocking in four three pointers.  Good ball movement was key for the Eagles, forcing the Falcons' defense to move their feet, close out on hot outside shooters, and leave themselves vulnerable to the drive.  CUI took advantage.  Tiana Lowery knocked in two first quarter three-pointers to lead the Eagles with six points, Jasmine Rachal added five points, and Kennedy Fulcher had three points and four rebounds in the first.  At the end of one, CUI led 22-14.

In the second quarter, the Eagles offense continued to play well.  They again shot 50 percent from the floor and knocked in three more from behind the three point arc.  After scoring just two points in the first quarter, Michaela VanderKlugt exploded for nine in the second quarter.  Despite a late run by the Falcons, CUI led 41-32 at halftime.  Through the first 20 minutes, the Eagles nearly doubled the Falcons in assists, 13-7, outrebounded them 22-17, and shot better from the floor, from three, and from the free throw line.

The Eagles quickly extended their lead early in the third quarter, scoring nine of the first 13 points, going up 50-36 with just over seven minutes to play in the quarter.  Unlike the first half, however, the Eagles struggled from the field in the third, shooting just 35.7 percent from the floor and knocking in only one three pointer.  Their defense remained strong, however, and though the Falcons were able to cut the lead to six at one point, the Eagles took a lead into the fourth quarter, 56-48.

"I've seen the big picture," said Concordia head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan.  "Now they're starting to see the big picture." 

In the fourth quarter, it all came together and the Eagles ran away with victory.

"Where your focus goes, your energy flows," added Collins-Kiernan. 

The Eagles shot 60 percent in the final period, and midway through the quarter, they knocked in four consecutive three pointers, two by Lowery and two by VanderKlugt.  As the game got choppy in the final minutes and SPU played aggressive full-court defense, the Eagles remained calm, drawing fouls and knocking in free throws.  When the final seconds ticked off, the Eagles won 82-66, earning their second win of the season.

"We ran our sets," VanderKlugt said.  "We ran our offense, really rebounded the ball well, boxed out…and we played together.  When they went on runs, we went on our own runs." 

Rachal led all scorers with a career-high 22 points.  VanderKlugt collected another double double, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds on the day.  Riley Friauf was solid as well scoring a career-high 19 points and collecting a season-high 12 rebounds and Lowery finished with 12 points despite leaving the game late in the first half after absorbing a hard foul.

"It's nice to finally get another win and go into this Christmas break on a good note," VanderKlugt added.

The Eagles return to the court on December 29, taking on Notre Dame de Namur on December 29 at 1:00 at CU Arena.

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