IRVINE, Calif. – Thursday was a day to remember for the Concordia University Irvine women's basketball team.

First game of the season. First time playing in over 10 months. First time playing with COVID-19 protocols, no fans and a different layout in the gym.

Oh, and it was also the first victory for the program over a nationally-ranked team at the NCAA DII level.

With No. 24 Northwest Nazarene making the trip to Irvine, the Eagles were undeterred. Michaela VanderKlugt torched the Nighthawks with 29 points and collected a team-high 13 rebounds to lead the Eagles to a resounding 85-54 statement victory.

VanderKlugt shot 11-for-22 from the field and sank a pair of treys, showing exactly why she was named to the Preseason All-PacWest Team.

VIDEO: CLICK HERE for postgame interview with CUI's Michaela VanderKlugt

Junior Katie Timmerman and freshman Camryn Kiernan each dropped 15 points and senior Kennedy Fulcher added eight points and 10 boards.

Kiernan sank three treys in her debut. Freshman Kaci Scott and Dominican transfer Edina Del Rosario also added five points each in their first games for the Green and Gold.

Scott and Fulcher did most of their damage in the first quarter to help CUI build a nine-point advantage. CUI was up 47-31 at halftime and the Nighthawks battled but were unable to make up the difference.

VIDEO: CLICK HERE for postgame interview with CUI head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan

CUI returns to action this Saturday at Cal State Fullerton, before opening up conference play against PacWest foe Point Loma. The Eagles will play at Point Loma on Friday, Jan. 22 before returning home to host the Sea Lions on Saturday, Jan 23 at 2 p.m. That Saturday will again feature a home doubleheader with the men's teams playing at 5 p.m. after the conclusion of the women's contest.

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