COSTA MESA, Calif. - Camryn Kiernan set a new career-high with 29 points and true freshman Asia Darcuiel added 10 points and seven rebounds against first-place Vanguard on Saturday night.

A furious fourth quarter comeback by Concordia put the pressure on the host Lions to fend off the Golden Eagles. CUI outscored Vanguard 26 to 13 in the final period and trimmed a double-digit lead down to five in the final minute of regulation. 

Concordia refused to give up until the final whistle even though Vanguard ultimately prevailed by a 68-63 margin.

Kiernan went 10-for-18 from the floor and sank three triples. She also went a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line.

Genesis Hopkins and Myia Collins each collected eight rebounds. That starting duo combined for 14 points. Hopkins was credited with five assists and starting point guard Hannah Vela handed out four helpers.

Vanguard was locked in on defense in the first half. The Lions held Concordia to only eight points in each of the first two periods. The second half was a different story though as the Golden Eagles made adjustments that sent the Lions scrambling.  The Golden Eagles earned their first 11 points of the third in the paint on layups and a free throw before Kayla Cabaccang nailed a triple. 

The Green and Gold outscored the Lions 47 to 23 in the second half - which is something to build on especially if these two teams meet again potentially in the PacWest Conference Tournament.

"I don't know if there's ever been a better example of a tale of two halves than what we saw (tonight)," said CUI head coach Christine Collins-Kiernan. "In the first half, we didn't meet the standards of our program — defensively, in our communication, mentally, or in any area of toughness. At halftime we had to regroup and remind ourselves who we are, what principles we're working toward, and how to maximize our abilities on both sides of the ball. Being down 29 is a big ask, but they rallied and gave us everything they had. We came up just short — honestly, we needed one more minute to finish it. As the season winds down, we have to turn the corner in our approach and our maturity. That second half is who we want to be, and we have to figure out quickly how to be that for a full 40 minutes. Camryn had one heck of a game, and I was proud of the way our team defended in the second half. Now it's about deciding where we go from here."

CLICK HERE for the updated PacWest Women's Basketball Standings

Concordia currently sits in the sixth spot in the standings and is 1.5 games ahead of Biola, who has lost its last three games. The top six teams in the conference will qualify for the conference tournament.

Concordia visits Point Loma next Saturday in a highly anticipated rematch of potential playoff opponents. The Sea Lions are tied with Vanguard with a 14-3 league record atop the conference standings.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's basketball schedule

The last home game of the regular season for the Golden Eagles will be on Saturday, Feb. 28 against Hawaii Pacific. The game will include Senior Night festivities for both the Concordia men's and women's basketball teams.