IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine women's basketball team clinched a spot in the PacWest Tournament with a 64-37 win over Fresno Pacific on Wednesday night, improving to 14-7 (11-4) on the season. Concordia last appeared in the PacWest Tournament during the 2019-20 season, since the 2020-21 tournament was canceled in the COVID-19 condensed season. The Eagles join Azusa Pacific as the second team to clinch a spot in this year's tournament.
 
After falling behind in the first quarter, the Eagles outscored the Sunbirds 16-7 in the second quarter to claim a six-point lead headed into halftime. CUI returned with a dominant performance in the third quarter by scoring 21 points, including a stretch of 16 unanswered. They would maintain a 20-point lead throughout the entire fourth quarter to complete their 14^th win of the season.
 
Four different Eagles contributed double-digit performances in the win, including Michaela VanderKlugt (14), Katie Timmerman (12), Camryn Kiernan (10), and Samantha Fries (10). The Green & Gold also recorded 51 rebounds in the game, falling just five shy of their season-high 56 vs Chaminade on Jan. 27. Of those 51 rebounds, Fries led the team with eight, followed by VanderKlugt and Timmerman with seven a piece.
 
Concordia takes on PacWest rival Biola at 2:00 PM on Saturday, Feb. 12, at CU Arena. Both teams are battling for the second place spot in the conference tournament behind Azusa Pacific, proving this to be a crucial matchup for both Eagle squads.  

Up to 500 fans will be allowed inside CU Arena.CLICK HERE for the updated CUI Athletics Spectator Policy
 
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's basketball schedule