LA MIRADA, Calif. - The Concordia University Irvine women's basketball team opened up their season with a win against the Toros of California State University, Dominguez Hills on Friday afternoon.  The game took place at BIOLA University as part of the CCAA/PacWest Challenge.  

Thanks to double figures from Jasmine Rachal (30), Katie Timmerman (18), and Michaela VanderKlugt (10) the Eagles outlasted the Toros to come away with the 83-75 win.

The Eagles, starting four returners and one freshman, got off to a hot start early scoring on their first four possessions, jumping out to an early 9-2 lead.  

Rachal picked up right where she left off last year, scoring nine of her game-high 30 points in the first quarter.  

The Eagles defense was suffocating, as the Toros did not get a wide open basket in the opening quarter. 

Timmerman was a perfect 2-for-2 from behind the three point line in the first quarter, helping the Eagles take a 20-15 lead into the second quarter.  

The Eagles extended their lead in the second quarter, behind an offensive clinic put on by Rachal. The Toros looked to shut her down but to no avail. The only reprieve they got was when Rachal went to the bench for a quick breather.  

But what should have been a grace period for the Toros was anything but as freshman Lainie James and sophomore Francesca Wade-Sanchez picked up the slack. Together, the duo sparked a 6-2 run for CUI in Rachal's absence. 

The Eagles extended their lead and headed into the break with a 43-36 lead behind 17 first-half points from Rachal and eight from Timmerman.  

Rachal knew that if the Eagles wanted to play at this level effectively they would have to put the work in on their own to achieve their goals, especially if they wanted to close out games at a high level. 

"Over the summer we all spent time in the gym and knew what we needed to work out," said Rachal.  "We came back more mature and disciplined. We knew we did not want to start 0-8 again. We wanted to come out and show that even though we are a young team it will not define who we are."

The Eagles started the second half with a high low pass from Kennedy Fulcher to Michaela VanderKlugt for an easy two points.  

The third quarter proved to be a grind as the Toros refused to go away.  

Timmerman, along with timely defense, kept the Eagles in the lead for a majority of the quarter.  She scored seven in the third quarter, hitting opportune baskets when the Toros were making their run.  

While the Toros outscored the Eagles 24 to 17, the two teams were deadlocked at 60 heading into the fourth and final quarter. 

The Toros got out to an early four point lead to open the quarter.  With the Eagles trailing for the first time all game Fulcher hit a well-timed three to stop the bleeding.  

From there the Eagles would not look back as Timmerman continued to shine, hitting yet another three to extend the Eagles lead.

The Eagles closed out the game on a 20-10 run en route to the victory.  

Coach Christine Collins-Kiernan was very pleased with her team's ability to come into their first game of the season and look like they had been playing together for months.

"I think we looked way more seasoned that last year," said Collins-Kiernan.  "Our flow and chemistry looked incredibly good. It was an exciting kind of basketball to watch.  They are learning the game instead of playing the game."

Freshman Sierra Clark got the start in her first collegiate game.  She played 30 minutes, racked up six assists, and contributed four points on the afternoon.

The Eagles are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they take on California State University Los Angeles at 1:00 p.m.  For the full CUI women's basketball schedule, click here.