AZUSA, Calif. – Despite outscoring the Cougars in three of the four quarters on Wednesday night, the CUI women's basketball team fell just short to #21 Azusa Pacific by a final score 68-61. The two teams sit atop of the PacWest standings, both having already clinched a spot in the conference tournament in Fresno next month. With the win against Concordia, APU also clinched the PacWest Regular Season Title.
The Green & Gold fell behind early, trailing the Cougars 25-11 after the first quarter. They rebounded in the second and third quarters, outscoring APU 19-18 and 18-16 respectively. Headed into the fourth, CUI trailed APU 59-48.
The Concordia defense showed up at a crucial time, recording seven defensive rebounds and forcing three turnovers in the final quarter. The team effort on defense froze the Cougar shooters, allowing CUI to go on an 13-6 run to bring the score within four. With just a minute left on the clock, Azusa Pacific would hold CUI scoreless while scoring three more points, allowing them to come away with the 68-61 win.
The Eagles shot above 40 percent from both floor and beyond the arc. Junior
Katie Timmerman led the team in scoring with 18 points, shooting 77 percent inside the arc and 4-for-5 from three-point range. Wednesday's game was her eighth 15-point performance of the season and the 20
th of her career.
Jasmine Rachal (12) and
Michaela VanderKlugt (10) each recorded double-digit performances, with VanderKlugt also capturing 10 rebounds for her 11
th double-double of the season. VanderKlugt recorded a career-best nine assists in the game, passing her previous single-game best of six assists against Notre Dame de Namur on Feb. 20
th, 2020.
CUI has 10 wins in their last 13 games and is looking to make one final push in the remaining three games of the regular season to clinch the second-place spot behind Azusa Pacific in the PacWest Tournament.
Their next game will take place in San Diego against Point Loma this Saturday, Feb. 19
th, at 6:00 PM.
Proof of vaccination or a negative covid test is required for entry at their facility, and masks must be worn while indoors.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's basketball schedule
