IRVINE, CA --- When the Eagles fell behind by a count of 17-0, it seemed unlikely that they'd be in the game in the final minute, but Concordia came back and eventually tied the game at 71-71 before a Westmont free throw sealed the Eagles' fate at 72-71.

The Eagles had trailed by as much as 28 points, at 42-14 with 7:29 left in the first half, but staged a 20-4 run throughout the rest of the half to come within 46-34 by the break.

Concordia falls to 10-11, including 3-10 in Golden State Athletic Conference play, while Westmont improves to 13-7, 6-6 GSAC with the win.

"You can't get down by 28 points to  anyone, but I can't believe how hard these girls fought back," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "They showed that they have incredible heart. We just have to get off to better starts and we have to make a stand sooner."

With 19 seconds left on the game clock, CUI tied up the game for the first time since 13 seconds into the contest on a layup by junior guard Tyler Howard, who was fouled on the play but missed a chance to take the lead on a free-throw attempt.

Westmont's Jessica Case was then fouled with three seconds on the clock and made 1-of-2 from the charity stripe to give the Warriors--who shot just 37 percent (7-for-19) from the line--the lead for good at 72-71.

Case scored 18 points for the Warriors, who were led by 19 points from Amber Stevens and also picked up 10-point contributions from Katie Kittle and Alisha Heglund.

The Eagles were highlighted by 17 points each from senior guard Kayanna Nichols and junior guard Nicole Fu, while senior forward Lauren Sahli chipped in 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds to post a double-double.

Westmont shot better from three-point range than it did from the free-throw line, with a 7-for-15 (48 percent) clip from long distance.

The one-point loss was Concordia's second in a row and marks its third loss of two or fewer points this year.

The Eagles next host The Master's this Tuesday (Feb. 9), starting at 5:30 p.m. at CU Arena.

Box Score