AZUSA, Calif. - Concordia University Irvine sophomore Michaela VanderKlugt scored 19 points and collected 14 rebounds but the Eagles saw their three-game winning streak come to a close Saturday at Azusa Pacific, 79-56.

VanderKlugt registered her sixth double-double of the season and led the Eagles in scoring for the second straight contest. 

The Eagles played solid defense in the first five minutes of action and were within 7-5 right out of the gate.  But Azusa Pacific took control late in the first quarter with a 19-2 run and built a 26-9 lead by the end of the period. 

Concordia picked up some momentum thanks to an 8-4 run early in the second quarter.  VanderKlugt paced the Eagles with eight points and eight rebounds in the first half but the Cougars led at halftime, 42-23.

VanderKlugt and freshman Tiana Lowery hit back-to-back treys in the third quarter to get the Green and Gold back on track.  Lowery scored seven of her nine points in the third and the Eagles played the Cougars even that period with each squad putting up 23 points.

Both teams stepped up their defense in the fourth quarter but the Eagles were unable to fully dig out of their double-digit deficit and the Cougars were ultimately able to stay perfect in PacWest play.

Riley Friauf finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.  Fellow sophomore Kennedy Fulcher also chipped in with seven points and seven boards.

"This is just a growing tool for us," said VanderKlugt. "We have to just play with a chip on our shoulder and be ready to play anytime we step on the court."

With more than a week in between games, Concordia continues its four-game road swing in Hawai'i with a Tuesday, Jan. 15 contest at Hawai'i Hilo before facing Hawai'i Pacific and Chaminade later that week.

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