After two consecutive wins, the Eagles took on the struggling Holy Names Hawks looking for their third consecutive win heading into the new year.

The Eagles came out of the locker room shooting the lights out.  In the first quarter, CUI hit on 52.9 percent of its shots, while also reaching the free throw line 12 times, knocking in nine.  With a considerable size advantage, the Eagles fed their front court and the Eagles offense flowed from inside out.  

In the opening quarter, CUI's frontcourt combined for 11 points and seven rebounds, all the while opening up space for the backcourt players to get open looks with a spread court.  The CUI guards took advantage.  Jasmine Rachal led all Eagles with nine points in the first quarter and Katie Timmerman added five.  Despite the hot shooting of Holy Names guard Ariana Hernandez, who knocked in four three pointers in the first quarter alone, the Eagles jumped out to a 28-17 lead at the end of one.

Sophomore forward Kennedy Fulcher credited the team's pregame routine in part for the early success.  "We have a very long warmup, so we definitely began the game sweating, ready to go," said Fulcher.

In the second quarter, the Eagles cooled from the field, while the Hawks began to knock in more shots.  After starting slow, the Eagles picked it up midway through the quarter, but Holy Names finished on a run to bring the halftime score to 46-37 CUI.  Michaela VanderKlugt had a big second quarter, scoring six points, to lead the Eagles, and finishing the half with seven rebounds.

While the first half was well played on the Eagles' side, competitive throughout, the second half was at times sloppy, physical throughout, with many fouls call on each side.  Despite the Eagles having an advantage in frontcourt height, the Hawks continually went to the post, possession after possession, in the third quarter, finding some success. 

The physical play led to frustration, however.  With under one minute to play in the third quarter, two technical fouls were called, each on the Hawks.  Timmerman stepped up to the free throw line, knocked in three of her four attempts, and the Eagles finished the third quarter with a 70-56 lead.  VanderKlugt continued in the second half where she left off in the first.  She scored 10 in the third quarter alone, and combined with Timmerman's eight, it was enough to stretch the lead out heading into the fourth.

"Michaela really stepped up for us in many facets of the game," said Concordia head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan. "Holding down the post defense without getting in foul trouble, scoring in a variety of ways and consistently making hustle play after hustle play. It is no coincidence that her teammates look to her. She gives everything she has and competes for them."

The final quarter was much like the third, filled with fouls, free throws, and hot shooting for the Eagles.  The Eagles knocked in 50 percent of their shots from the field in the second half and shot 48.5 percent for the game.

The Eagles made defensive adjustments, however, and ran away with the game.  "We improved out help side, made sure we were denying (the post entry)," Fulcher said.

VanderKlugt led the way with a monster double double, scoring 25 points and hauling in 10 rebounds.  Timmerman's 16 points, which included three treys, and double digit scoring performances from Rachal (11 points), Tiana Lowery (10 points, and Kennedy Fulcher (10 points) was easily enough for the Eagles to collect a 90-68 win.

The 90 total points for the Eagles were a season-high.  With the victory the Eagles improved to 4-8 overall and 3-4 in PacWest play.

"This was an incredibly physical game, but I believe our team handled it well and kept their poise down the stretch," added Collins-Kiernan. "It was especially nice to see them play with such high energy and celebrate each others successes."

"I think our effort to play hard and play for each other is consistent," continued Collins-Kiernan. "It is nice to see us starting to put minutes of smart basketball together."

The Eagles begin a four game road trip against the Azusa Pacific Cougars on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m.

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