After ten days away from game action, the Eagles returned to the court on Tuesday night, taking on the University of Hawaii Hilo Vulcans in the first of three games during their Hawaii trip.

Entering the game, the Eagles were winners in three of their previous four games, and were looking to keep up their improved play 2,500 miles from home. 
After the Vulcans got on the board first with a quick basket, the Eagles quickly took control of the game.  Kennedy Fulcher scored the first basket of the game for CUI, and sparked a quick 8-0 run for the Eagles.  Riley Friauf added two buckets of her own, and midway through the first quarter, the Eagles had a six point lead.  The Vulcans quickly came back, finding their shot, as they went on a 9-2 run to take the lead, but the Eagles' offense kept attacking and finished the quarter strong.  At the end of one, CUI led 21-16 after Michaela VanderKlugt knocked in a jumper at the buzzer.  Fulcher finished the first with a game-high 10 points.

In the second quarter, the Eagles' offense continued to play well.  The trio of Vanderklugt, who finished with 15 first half points, Fulcher who scored 12 in the first, and Friauf, who scored 10, proved to be too much for the Vulcans in the first half.  The Eagles shot over 60 percent from the field and took a seven point lead, 41-34, into the halftime break.

After taking a seven point lead into the second half, the Eagles had no plans of slowing down.  In the third quarter, they doubled their lead.  After the Vulcans cut the Eagles' lead to four at 44-40, CUI went on a tear, outscoring their opponent 13-2 over the next five minutes, building a commanding lead.  During the run and throughout the entire night, there was no stopping Vanderklugt or Friauf, as the Eagles' frontcourt dominated the entire way.  At the end of the third quarter, CUI was up 62-48 and were one quarter away from another win.

Though the Vulcans picked up their play in the fourth quarter and temporarily cut the Eagles' lead to single digits, CUI was able to do enough to keep the Vulcans at arms-length, and eventually run away with the game late.  When the final buzzer sounded, the Eagles won 76-63.
Vanderklugt and Friauf each went over the 20 point mark for the Eagles, finishing with 24 and 22 points, respectively.  Fulcher finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, as well.  The Eagles shot 53.6 percent from the field for the game and knocked in seven three pointers.  They held UHH to under 40 percent from the floor, outrebounded them, and led from nearly start to finish. 

It was an impressive performance for the Eagles, and they will look to continue their winning ways on Thursday, as they take on Hawaii Pacific University at 6:30 pm PST.
For the complete CUI schedule, click here