The CUI women's basketball team made a comeback in the third quarter Saturday but it was not enough to earn the win as No. 23 Cal State San Marcos took the game 69-63.
 
The Eagles were down six when they headed into the locker room at halftime.  The Eagles came out with full intensity and energy as they outscored San Marcos 18-9 in the third quarter, which gave the Eagles a three-point lead going into the fourth.   However, the Cougars were able to secure a lead early in that final quarter and kept it for the remainder of the game. 
 
Two CUI players put the team on their back this game as Jasmine Rachal and Michaela VanderKlugt each grabbed 21 points. VanderKlugt finished with an excellent shooting percentage as she went 6-for-9 from the field and 100% from the three-point line. 
 
"We played really good basketball for where we are right now in the season," said VanderKlugt.  "We stuck together as a team even when things were going well.  We overcame adversity well today for how young of a team we are."
 
Rachal shot over 50% from the field and added two threes to help CUI offensively.  She is currently average 18.5 points a game.
 
"It was a tough loss," said Rachal. "We did so many things right but in the winning moments of the game we slipped up on the defensive end.  But with we didn't play our best game and we competed with the No. 3 team in the West Coast. So, if you ask me I'd say we are really going to shock some people this year, we just have to polish up our mistakes.  I'm super excited to watch this team grow over the course of the season. We are going to do some big things!"
 
Rachal has a positive outlook on this season as should the rest of Eagle Nation. The women are performing well and working together as a team.  Their defensive efforts and ability to utilize one another makes them strong competitors this season.    
 
Katie Timmerman, who had a strong defensive night, helped keep the team together through her leadership.
 
"Defensively it was a great team effort," said Timmerman. "We just came up a little short tonight.  But our defense and the way we played today shows that we are capable of playing with some of the best teams in and out of conference."
 
Looking forward the Eagles will go back to conference play taking on two PacWest teams at home.  On Thursday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. come support the squad take on Fresno Pacific.  For the full CUI women's basketball schedule, click here.