Quick Read
- Concordia University Irvine defeated Hawaii Hilo 70-55, extending their road winning streak to three games.
- CUI’s bench contributed 21 points, highlighting their strategic depth against a six-player Hilo squad.
- Azusa Pacific rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat Vanguard 74-73 in double overtime.
- Audrey Sayoc scored a game-high 26 points, and Lauren Jones added 24 points with seven three-pointers for APU.
- Both wins are crucial for their respective standings in the competitive PacWest Conference.
In a pivotal night for PacWest women’s basketball, two teams secured significant victories on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with Concordia University Irvine (CUI) demonstrating its formidable depth in a dominant road win against Hawaii Hilo, and Azusa Pacific University (APU) staging an electrifying double-overtime comeback against Vanguard. These contrasting yet equally impactful wins have reshaped the conference standings, highlighting the competitive intensity and strategic prowess prevalent in the PacWest as teams vie for crucial tournament bids.
Concordia’s Commanding Performance in Hawaii
Concordia University Irvine extended its road winning streak to three games with a decisive 70-55 victory over Hawaii Hilo. The Golden Eagles’ success was largely attributed to their consistent scoring runs at the end of the first three quarters and a robust contribution from their bench, underscoring the team’s depth and resilience even away from home. Playing on the islands, CUI established control early, closing the opening period with an 11-1 run that culminated in true freshman Asia Darcuiel’s coast-to-coast drive and buzzer-beating jumper, pushing Concordia to an 18-11 lead.
The offensive momentum continued with Myia Collins, who contributed a dozen points, including two crucial three-pointers. Her first triple opened the game’s scoring, and another similar shot just before the halftime horn solidified CUI’s 33-28 advantage. Darcuiel mirrored this clutch performance at the end of the third quarter, scoring five consecutive points that propelled Concordia to a commanding 23-13 run in the period, creating significant distance between the teams.
Leadership and scoring were evident across the roster. Camryn Kiernan led the Golden Eagles with 15 points, while Darcuiel added 11. On the defensive end, current PacWest Defender of the Week Genesis Hopkins, alongside point guard Hannah Vela, anchored the effort, combining for 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals. However, perhaps the most telling statistic of the night was the bench’s contribution: senior Kayla Cabaccang and freshman Ellana Klemp combined for ten points, with Allison Shumate adding seven, and sophomores Sophie McWatt and Cadence Tarrant also providing key minutes. The CUI bench collectively delivered 21 points, a stark contrast to a Hawaii Hilo squad that utilized only six players throughout the contest, highlighting Concordia’s strategic advantage in player rotation and fresh legs.
Head Coach Christine Collins-Kiernan praised her team’s ability to balance the unique experience of playing in Hawaii with their competitive focus. “One of the best things about basketball is the places it takes you and the people you get to experience it with,” said Collins-Kiernan. “Being able to travel to Hawaii every year is a special opportunity for our program. It’s a fun environment, but it also challenges us to balance bonding and making memories with the maturity to lock in and get our work done.” She added, “It wasn’t always pretty, but we stayed in the fight and found a way to win, and we really needed that.” This victory improves CUI’s conference record to 7-4, positioning them 2.5 games ahead of Menlo for the final spot in the chase for a PacWest Conference Tournament bid in March. Concordia will continue its road trip against Hawaii Pacific before returning home.
Azusa Pacific’s Epic Double-Overtime Comeback
In a dramatic showdown at the Freed Center in Costa Mesa, California, Azusa Pacific women’s basketball authored one of its most thrilling victories of the season, overcoming a 15-point deficit to defeat RV Vanguard 74-73 in double overtime. The Cougars, now 12-5 overall and 8-2 in PacWest play, trailed for nearly the entire game, falling behind by as much as 32-18 late in the second quarter and spending over 38 minutes playing from behind. Yet, their grit, composure, and timely shot-making flipped the script in a contest that featured six ties, four lead changes, and 10 minutes of extra basketball.
The comeback was spearheaded by outstanding individual performances. Senior guard Audrey Sayoc delivered the backbone of APU’s offense, pouring in a game-high 26 points. Sayoc was relentless, attacking downhill, knocking down perimeter shots, and converting crucial free throws across both overtime periods, providing the poise needed to navigate every momentum swing. Equally vital was Lauren Jones, who provided the perimeter punch that kept the Cougars within striking distance. Jones finished with 24 points, burying seven three-pointers, several of which came during APU’s critical third-quarter surge and late in regulation.
Azusa Pacific’s rally began to take shape in the third quarter. After shooting a dismal 25 percent in the opening half, the Cougars found their rhythm on both ends of the court, scoring 21 points in the period while forcing turnovers and generating valuable second-chance opportunities. Jones hit a pair of triples, Sayoc attacked the paint, and APU closed the quarter trailing by single digits after once being down by 15. The fourth quarter became a defensive masterclass for Azusa Pacific, as they held Vanguard to just eight points over the final 10 minutes of regulation, repeatedly coming up with stops and timely rebounds. A late three-pointer from Jones and a Sayoc layup pulled the Cougars even, forcing overtime after Vanguard failed to capitalize in the closing seconds.
The first overtime period saw both teams trade baskets, neither able to deliver a decisive blow. However, in the second extra period, Azusa Pacific finally found the separation it needed through a moment of calm confidence. Vanessa Parilla stepped up and drained a clutch three-pointer, giving the Cougars a late edge in double overtime. This pivotal basket, combined with a final defensive stand, secured the one-point road victory. Box score highlights further underscored the team’s all-around effort, with Keisharna Lucas contributing 4 assists, 4 steals, and 9 rebounds for Azusa Pacific, while Vanguard’s Emma Schaaf posted 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Azusa Pacific will now look to carry this hard-fought momentum forward as conference play continues.
PacWest Conference Implications
Thursday night’s results underscore the highly competitive nature of the PacWest women’s basketball conference. Both Concordia and Azusa Pacific demonstrated different pathways to victory, yet both outcomes were critical for their standings. Concordia, now separating itself as one of six top teams, continues to build a strong case for a tournament bid with its consistent road performances and deep roster. Azusa Pacific’s dramatic comeback not only showcased their resilience but also solidified their position among the conference leaders, sending a clear message about their ability to perform under pressure and overcome significant deficits.
These games serve as a testament to the strategic depth and mental fortitude required to succeed in collegiate basketball. As the season progresses, every win and loss will carry significant weight in determining the final seeding for the PacWest Conference Tournament, where the stakes will be even higher.
The contrasting victories of Concordia and Azusa Pacific on Thursday night highlight the dual pathways to success in a highly competitive conference: the sustained dominance achieved through strategic depth and consistent execution, and the extraordinary resilience required to overcome significant deficits through clutch individual performances and collective mental toughness.