IRVINE, Calif. - In a highly anticipated match up, the Concordia Golden Eagles made a late push to take visiting Point Loma down to the wire on Saturday.
The CUI women outscored the Sea Lions 23-18 in the fourth quarter but Point Loma escaped with a 70-65 victory in their first of two meetings this season.
Genesis Hopkins was a defensive menace, racking up 15 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and two steals for a great all-around effort.
Asia Darcuiel also scored 15 points and
Camryn Kiernan overcame so foul trouble to provide 10 points and three steals.
Freshman
Allison Shumate and sophomore
Cadence Tarrant supplied solid minutes off the bench, combining for 12 points and six rebounds. True freshman
Ellana Klemp also contributed seven points and a couple steals.
Kiernan hit a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter to help CUI erase an early double-digit deficit. Point Loma raced out to a 12-2 lead befor the Golden Eagles clawed their way back into the contest. The game was tied at 18-18 after a jumper by Darcuiel but Point Loma never trailed in this one.
Former Golden Eagle
Izzy Navarro filled up the stat sheet for the Sea Lions with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and a game-high six steals. She shot 7-for-11 and had four turnovers in her first game back against her old team.
Point Loma's Eiley Tippins scored 18 points to lead all players before fouling out in the fourth.
Concordia out rebounded Point Loma 40-31, but committed 23 turnovers which led to 14 points for the visitors.
On deck for the Golden Eagles is a trip to Fresno to take on the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds this coming Thursday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. CUI will also play at Jessup next Saturday before heading on a Hawai'i road trip the following week.
CLICK HERE for the updated PacWest Women's Basketball Conference Standings
The next home PacWest Conference doubleheader for Concordia will be in about three weeks. The Green and Gold will host Jessup on Thursday, Jan 29 as the women play at 5 p.m. PT followed by the men's game at 7:15 p.m.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's basketball schedule