Irvine, Calif. - The Concordia University Irvine Golden Eagles cruised to an 89–61 victory over the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds at CU Arena. The win kept CUI undefeated in PacWest play at 4–0, improved the Golden Eagles to 7–3 overall, and moved them into possession of first place in the conference as they continue to build momentum early in league action.
From the opening tip, CUI set the tone with aggressive defense and efficient offense, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. The Golden Eagles controlled the pace in the first half, shooting 57.1 percent from the floor while limiting Fresno Pacific's scoring opportunities. Crisp ball movement and strong spacing allowed CUI to consistently get quality looks, helping the hosts carry a 42–30 advantage into halftime.
The second half belonged entirely to the Golden Eagles. CUI came out of the locker room with renewed energy, stretching the lead behind a flurry of baskets in transition and timely shooting from the perimeter. The Golden Eagles outscored the Sunbirds 47–31 after the break, shooting better than 60 percent in the second half and knocking down seven three-pointers to put the game out of reach. CUI also took advantage of Fresno Pacific turnovers, turning defensive stops into quick points and keeping constant pressure on the Sunbirds.
MaCarhy Morris led the charge with a game-high 24 points on an ultra-efficient 9-of-11 shooting performance. Morris consistently attacked the rim and punctuated his night with an emphatic dunk that brought the CU Arena crowd to its feet, highlighting CUI's physicality and confidence. Kaden Minter provided a major spark from beyond the arc, finishing with 21 points and five three-pointers, stretching the defense and opening driving lanes for his teammates.
Nick Corbett contributed a steady all-around effort with 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Logan Cremonesi added seven points and a team-high seven rebounds off the bench to help CUI control the glass. The Golden Eagles dominated the rebounding battle 34–21 and showcased their depth, receiving 28 points from the bench as multiple players made impactful contributions.
The highlight reel continued with Blake Ballard throwing down a dunk of his own, further energizing the Golden Eagles. Ballard finished with five points, providing valuable minutes as CUI maintained its intensity throughout the rotation.
Roman Rose also made his first three-pointer in his Concordia debut while Akeem Akeredolu also recorded a block in his first game as a Golden Eagle.
Defensively, CUI was sharp, holding Fresno Pacific to 40.7 percent shooting while forcing 13 turnovers that led to 22 points. The Golden Eagles also excelled in transition, scoring 18 fast-break points and consistently winning the effort categories, including points in the paint and second-chance opportunities. Radek Homer led the way with four steals and stifling defense.
"Our guys were really focused on earning these wins over the break in practice and that really helps when it comes from the players," said CUI assistant coach Nolan Abernathy. "Wins like these come from having a very unselfish team of players willing to do whatever it takes to win and that don't care about their individual stats."
With balanced scoring, efficient shooting, and relentless defensive pressure, the Golden Eagles sent a clear message as PacWest play continues. CUI's 4–0 conference start and commanding performance Thursday night reinforced their position atop the standings and showcased a team firing on all cylinders as the season progresses.
NEXT UP
The Golden Eagles will return once the calendar flips to 2026 for a road trip up to Northern California to play Dominican University for the second time this season. That game is slated for Saturday, Jan. 3 against the Penguins.
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Concordia's next home game is Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:15 p.m. against Vanguard.
