IRVINE, Calif. - The Concordia University Irvine women's basketball team secured its second PacWest victory of the season Thursday with a wire to wire win over the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific University.

Sophomore guard Jasmine Rachal got the Eagles going with a three 12 seconds into the game, sparking an early 12-2 run for her team.

Coming off a tough loss to No. 23 California State University San Marcos, the Eagles were by far the hungrier team on Thursday.  The Eagles outrebounded the Sunbirds 51-41 and doubled up the Sunbirds in assists 15-7.  

Ten minutes into the game the Eagles had a ten point lead and that was all they needed in order to unlock their confidence for the rest of the game.  

This Eagles team had been waiting for its bench to come alive all season, but their wait is over after freshmen Lainie James and Savannah Felix-Amoroso gave them big minutes.  

Felix-Amoroso was stellar on the defensive end.  She grabbed six defensive rebounds, to go with her two offensive rebounds, and put up six points.  Four of those six came in the fourth quarter where she hit a huge mid range jumper and two huge free throws that helped keep the Sunbirds at bay.

James proved that she is a force to be reckoned.  She filled up the box score with a career high in points (13), a career high in minutes played (26), and a huge block with a minute to go in regulation.  

"I provided a spark for the team coming off the bench and knew the game plan," said James.  "I locked into defense and that's what got the offense rolling. My teammates held everything together really well and it provided us with a solid team win."

Not to be outdone by her fellow freshman, Sierra Clark came up big in timely moments.  She finished the game with ten points, her second time in the last three games in double figures.  

Head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan knew going into this season that her freshmen would have to step up in order for her team to win games over quality opponents.

"I always tell recruits and my team that CUI is where you grow," said Collins-Kiernan.  "We encourage mistakes and failure and use it as fuel to grow and change, if you buy into our teaching approach and allow yourself to be coached that growth is inevitable.  Lainie, Savi, and Sierra have dedicated themselves to learning and filling holes. They are fearless and that showed tonight by their ability to step into chaos and be productive."

Heading into the break the Eagles held an eight point lead.  The Sunbirds had built up momentum and the Eagles knew that they would have to come up with energy to start the second half. 

While the freshmen played big minutes, the returners played to their capability and did what they needed to do in order to come away with a huge win.

Junior Kennedy Fulcher finished with a season-high 19 points and one rebound shy of a double-double (nine).  Fellow junior Michaela VanderKlugt 12 points and eight rebounds. Rachal finished with 17 points, going a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe.  Katie Timmerman again led the team in minutes played and racked up a season-high five assists.

"It's always a good feeling to win at home, especially when the opposition is ranked ahead of you." said Fulcher.  "We had a really great start, then got a little lost in the middle of game. But I'm proud of my team for coming together at the end!"

Even though the Eagles struggled in the middle of the game it was not apparent in their body language.  They maintained their "next play" mentality and got timely stops on the defensive end when they needed to stop the bleeding.  The Eagles visibly controlled the game and their opponents for the better part of two and a half quarters.  

"When we focus on defending and rebounding we put ourselves in a position of control," said Collins-Kiernan.  "We had runs of multiple stops in a row and great leadership to stop the bleeding when they went on their runs. They are a group who loves the challenge of executing a game plan and that is exciting for a coaching staff."

Sunbirds guard Ashley Cross led all scorers with a career high 24 points but it was not enough as the Eagles won 81-69.

While the Eagles are flying high from their huge upset victory in CU Arena, they know they have to come ready to play on Saturday as they take on Holy Names University at noon.