IRVINE, Calif. - For the second straight day, it was a battle of Golden Eagles as Concordia University Irvine hosted Cal State Los Angeles for the women's basketball regular season openers for both schools.Â
The CUI women's soccer team had just beaten Cal State LA on Thursday for it's first playoff victory ever in the first round of the NCAA DII West Regional.
This time, Cal State LA eked out the victory in a close contest by a score of 81-74. CUI dug itself out of an early hole when Cal State LA went up by a dozen, but the home team rallied to take a 38-37 lead by halftime.
Teagan Thurman thrilled the home crowd with a sizzling performance on the offensive end. The Northwest Nazarene transfer collected a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds to lead the CUI offense. She shot 9-for-19 from the floor and also showcased some play-making ability in the paint by dropping a few dimes to teammates.
Thurman capped off a 10-2 surge for Concordia late in the fourth quarter as she helped the home team move ahead 74-73 on a three-point play. She drove into the paint, hit a tough shot with authority and then nailed the free throw to go up one after getting fouled. But in the final two minutes of action, Cal State LA closed the game on an 8-1 run and prevailed 81-74 after hitting a couple extra free throws.
Veteran guards
Jasmine Rachal (14 points) and
Katie Timmerman (10 points) also shot effectively from the floor. Timmerman added two treys while Rachal added a game-high six assists and shot 6-for-12.
Camryn Kiernan made the most of her minutes as well with eight points in just 15 minutes of play. She sank a pair of three-pointers and was a +5 off the bench.  Her trey late in the second period helped CUI turn the tide and then Rachal made a tirple before halftime to keep the Green and Gold in front at intermission.
Former Biola standout
Stephanie Lee made her debut with Concordia and chipped in with a couple of triples while
Lauren Richter hauled down eight boards after getting the starting nod.
In just a little over 24 hours, CUI gets to play Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 4:30 p.m. after the CUI women's volleyball team hosts Biola for Senior Day at 1 p.m.
The Toros defeated Biola 74-53 in the second game of Friday's action in Irvine. Cal State LA will face Biola in the nightcap with a scheduled 6:30 p.m. start.
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