FRESNO, Calif. - The Concordia University Irvine women's basketball team, having lost two in a row, looked to sweep the season series with Fresno Pacific University on Monday evening.  The Eagles outlasted the Sunbirds in a back and forth battle, coming away with the 84-79 victory.

Head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan knew this game would be a fight but she knew her team was well prepared for whatever the Sunbirds were going to throw at them.  

"Since the day I stepped on campus I have been trying to teach mental toughness, getting to the next thing, and rising above adversity, all life skills," said Collins-Kiernan.  "This is the year I have started to see those attributes come into play. It is easier said than done but we try hard to prepare them because in the end when pressure hits you revert back to your level of preparedness.  We got hit in the face figuratively and literally many times tonight but this team, this group, stayed together, communicated, and kept their poise. All amazing life skills!"

The first quarter was a back and forth affair with both teams shooting over 50 percent from the floor.

By the end of the first quarter, all five starters had scored for the Eagles.  They also shared the ball, doling out four assists on eight made baskets.

Both teams continued to score at ease in the second quarter.  The long ball kept the Eagles in the game as they made five baskets from behind the three point line in the first half.  

Sophomore guard Jasmine Rachal led all scorers at the break with 17.  

Freshman guard Lainie James came up huge in the third quarter hitting back-to-back threes from almost the exact same spot.  The Sunbirds were poised to pull away but James kept the Eagles in the game.  

"My teammates started the game off with a high intensity that I didn't match at first coming off the bench," said James.  "It took my teammates and coaches to reassure me of my role in the game to give me the confidence I needed to push through the adversity.  This win was big and it feels amazing leaving Fresno with a victory."

James picked up in the fourth quarter where she left off in the third, only this time she decided to change locations.  James hit a three from straight away and got to the free throw line, making one of two. She finished with 12 points to go along with two assists and three rebounds.

The story of the game was free throws.  The Eagles got to the line 33 times and converted on 28 of those attempts, shooting at an 84% clip from the charity stripe.  The Eagles doubled up the Sunbirds in makes as the Sunbirds were just 14-for-18 from the line.

Rachal was a perfect 15-for-15 from the line and finished with a career-high 31 points.  She also grabbed four rebounds and had one assist. 

While Rachal had a career night, she was sure to point out that she was not the only reason the Eagles won the game. 

"Having a career night is a great feeling but it wouldn't have matter if we didn't all come to play and come out with a win," said Rachal.  "Kennedy with 16 rebounds, Michaela coming back in after taking that blow to the face and hitting two big free-throws, and Katie and Sierra both making big plays were huge turning points in the game. It was a huge team win tonight and I'm so proud of every single one of my teammates.  We play one of the toughest schedules over the next few weeks and it's always nice to start things off with a big win against a well-coached team."

The Eagles outrebounded the Sunbirds 37-32.  Junior forward Kennedy Fulcher grabbed 16 rebounds with seven of those coming on the offensive glass.  Fulcher also had seven points, one assist, one steal, and two blocks.  

"Coach (Collins-Kiernan) told us in film that we allowed too many offensive boards the first time we played them," said Fulcher.  "So we knew this time around to box out hard. Fresno is a team that always gives it their all against us, and our last game (against them) was competitive also.  We had no lack of motivation to work hard in the paint and the rest of the court."

Junior forward Michaela VanderKlugt took a blow to the face midway through the fourth quarter but shook it off to come back in and hit two free throws with 17 seconds left to ice the game.  She finished with 15 points, seven rebounds (four offensive) and three assists.

The Eagles are back in action on Thursday, Jan. 16 when they take on Biola at home at 5:30 p.m. in their "Code Yellow" game of the season sponsored by The Habit Burger Grill.