Coming off a double digit win over Holy Names on Thursday night, the Eagles traveled to Belmont, California in search of a their third consecutive PacWest win on the road. 

The Notre Dame de Namur Argonuats entered the game with just a 4-16 record, but they played extremely well on Saturday, especially on the defensive end.  Though the Eagles beat them by 16 points at home earlier in the season, the game on Saturday was much different.

The Eagles controlled the action for much of the first quarter, but Notre Dame was able to keep close and make a late first quarter run.  After CUI built a 13-7 lead, the Argonauts went on an 8-0 run to regain the lead.  Riley Friauf knocked in a short jumper with 12 seconds remaining in the quarter, however, and the two teams went into the second tied at 15.

While the teams played each other close in the first quarter, the second was a different story.  The Argonuats' defense forced the Eagles into poor shots, and did enough themselves offensively to build a lead.

"They played a zone which was very effective because we were not shooting very well and we failed to move the ball around," said forward Kennedy Fulcher.

At halftime, the Eagles trailed 30-23.  They shot just 40 percent from the field in the first half and just two-for-13 from three.  They were unable to effectively get the ball in the paint or reach the foul line.  In the first 20 minutes, they attempted just two free throws.

In the third quarter, the same problems continued to haunt the Eagles.  Despite a big game from Fulcher, her 25 more points amounting to more than double the points of the next leading scorer for either team, the Eagles were not able to capitalize.  As a team, they continued to struggle offensively.  Though they knocked in 50 percent of their shots in the third quarter, they didn't make a single three pointer of free throw in the third.  The Eagles outscored the Argonauts 14-10 in the third, but still trailed 40-37 at the end of three.

After two quick baskets by Friauf to begin the fourth quarter, it looked like the Eagles were on the verge of breaking out of their shooting slump and pulling away from Notre Dame.  Both teams went ice cold, however.  For over four minutes, neither team was able to score a single point.  With 4:16 remaining, the Argonuats finally broke the prolonged drought, hitting two free throws to regain the lead.  Notre Dame then pushed their lead to three and kept the Eagles just out of reach the rest of the way.  Though they were able to get a look for three with 18 seconds left and trailing by three, the shot didn't fall, and the Eagles ended up losing a stunner, 50-45.

CUI shot just 30 percent from the floor in the fourth, hit only 40.8 percent for the game, made only two of their 19 attempts from three, and only attempted four free throws, making three.

"In order to bounce back, we need to get some rest and come to practice and the next game motivated and focused," said Fulcher.

The Eagles will look to get back in the winners column on Tuesday, February 12 when they take on Biola University at 5:30 PM in La Mirada.

For the full women's basketball schedule, click here