SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - The Concordia University Irvine women's basketball team looked to get back in the win column Thursday night on the road against Dominican University. The Eagles came away with the hard fought 83-74 victory.
Head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan knew tonight would be a grind it out type of game and was pleased with her team's ability to step up in big moments.
"We got solid contributions from everyone tonight and players stepped up in moments we really needed them to," said Collins-Kiernan. "We adjusted to foul trouble, lack of flow to the game, and runs by the other team, all signs of resiliency. If we can continue to show grit and consistency we can continue to be successful."
In front of a pro Eagles crowd five Eagles recorded double digits while two of them recorded double-doubles.
Junior forward Michaela VanderKlugt, playing in front of family and friends as she is from the Bay Area, finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
"I just felt I picked my shots wisely," said VanderKlugt. "I knew I had a mismatch when they put a guard on me. I felt I took advantage of that and then made them have to change their defense. I love playing in front of my family. They are my support system and support me endlessly. I love them. They give me strength and I love knowing we have more fans than the other team even when we're on the road!"
Junior forward Kennedy Fulcher joined VanderKlugt with a double-double. Fulcher finished with ten points, ten rebounds (four offensive), and three steals.
"When we spaced out the floor it slowed us down allowing us to get a lot of open looks," said Fulcher. "Coach Collins-Kiernan has been telling me to catch to shoot and when I did that I was able to score."
Freshman point guard Lainie James fell one rebound shy of a double-double as she finished with a career high 18 points and nine rebounds (four offensive). After starting for the first time in her career against Point Loma Nazarene University, James came off the bench again but she did not let that affect her ability to stay ready for when her number was called.
"I knew the game plan and found the openings within our offense," said James. "My teammates provided me with some great passes that put me in positions to score. We all knew we had to play better in the second half, so we all locked into the game plan and executed efficiently together."
Sophomore guard Jasmine Rachal and freshman forward Savannah Felix-Amoroso finished with 13 and ten respectively.
Collins-Kiernan has been impressed with her team's growth from the beginning of the year until now. Without a senior on the team her young players have been forced to grow up fast.
"The college season has never been a sprint, it is a cross terrain marathon," said Collins-Kiernan. "You have to have resiliency and the ability to regain your footing and keep moving forward. I think this game really mimicked that, we jumped out strong, then got complacent in our stride, refocused for a long duration and wobbled a little until we finished at the end. If there has been anything we have fought over the last year it has been staying focused on the task at hand for long periods and being consistently consistent, two key mental skills needed to be a great team."
The Eagles are back in action Saturday night as they take on Holy Names University in Oakland to finish out the road trip. For the full CUI women's basketball schedule click here.
