With the Eagles on the verge of clinching a spot in the PacWest women's basketball tournament, coach Christine Collins-Kiernan and her team took on a tough Fresno Pacific Sunbirds team.  FPU entered the game with a sterling 17-8 overall record, 13-6 in PacWest play.

In the first quarter, the Eagles moved the ball extremely well, getting looks in the paint on nearly every possession.  When the Eagles weren't getting shots close to the hoop, they worked inside-out and got open perimeter shots.  On the other end, the Sunbirds got up and down the court with great pace.  It was a battle of speed vs. patience, and for the underdog Eagles, the game plan was effective.  Despite only knocking in 33.3 percent of their shots in the first quarter, CUI took a 19-14 lead into the second quarter.  The Eagles dominated the first quarter on the glass, outrebounding the Sunbirds 14-8, including six offensive rebounds.

In the second quarter, the Eagles continued their cold shooting and the Sunbirds finally began knocking in shots on their end.  The contrast in offensive styles remained evident, and though the Sunbirds made a run and pulled ahead by six, the Eagles remained close.  In the final minute, Katie Timmerman connected with Michaela VanderKlugt for consecutive open three pointers.  VanderKlugt knocked in both shots, and at the end of the first half, the score was tied at 35.  For the Sunbirds, it was a two woman show in the first half.  Bree Alvarez led all scorers with 13 points and Rachel Berry added 11 off the bench.  On the other side, the Eagles featured a balanced attack, with all five scorers registering at least five first half points.  Though the Sunbirds outshot the Eagles from the field, CUI dominated in the rebounding category, pulling down 28 rebounds to the Sunbirds' 15.

"Our bigs were active and relentless tonight," said CUI head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan.  "Now we just need to focus on finishing those easy looks we get."

In the third quarter, the Eagles picked up their offensive play early, but so did the Sunbirds.  The game became a shootout over the first five minutes of the second half, with each team shooting well from three.  The Sunbirds were too athletic, however, not only getting good shots from distance, but consistently driving to the basket and finishing at the hoop.  The Sunbirds were also able to make up for their struggles on the glass with an advantage over the Eagles in the turnover department.  As the quarter went on, CUI's offense went cold again, and FPU extended their lead to seven at the end of three, 58-51.

In the fourth quarter, the crisp passing and open looks that the Eagles got early in the game were no longer there.  CUI shot just 20 percent from the floor in the final quarter, and though their defense was effective all game, FPU was never seriously threatened in the final quarter and won by the score of 78-66.  The Eagles were able to hold the Sunbirds to just 43.1 percent shooting for the game, but they were only able to hit on 31.4 percent from the field themselves.  Though the Eagles won the battle on the boards, FPU had fewer turnovers, more bench points, and more points in the paint.

"FPU had 35 fast break points, which allowed them to pull away," said coach Collins-Kiernan.  "They hit big shots and had a couple more runs in them than we did." 

The Eagles are back home again on Saturday for their final home game of the season at 5:30 p.m. against Chaminade.  Senior night festivities will be held prior to the start of the game.  It will be the final home game for senior Kara Ito.    

For the full CUI women's basketball schedule, click here.