SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Dominican University of California men's basketball team saw an early lead slip away in a 75-59 loss to Concordia Irvine on Saturday night.

Christopher Schwartz-Edmisten had a team-high 12 points. Matt Hayes was the only other Penguin in double digits (11 points) and led the team with nine rebounds. Josh Ramirez scored eight points with five rebounds.  Ryo Tawatari scored seven points. Josh Armstrong and Seth Turner each added six points in the loss.

Dominican (9-8/5-5 PacWest) led by as much as 11 in the first half but dealt a blow when starter Karl Ohrner was fouled with 8:40 to go and had to be helped off the floor with a knee injury. He would not return. The momentum shifted and the Penguins were outscored 13-6 over the final seven minutes of the first half and settled for a 32-28 lead. Dominican was outscored by 20 points in the second half. A pair of Matt Scott free throws tied the game at 38-38 around the 16-minute mark. Dominican would take the lead back five minutes later on a Ryo Tawateri midrange jumper on the right wing but the Eagles (15-3/8-2) responded with an 8-0 run to take the lead for good.

CUI may be the newest member of the PacWest but the Eagles have already made noise in the conference and stand in second place. They were led by a 20-point effort from Scott. Justin Davis came off the bench for 17 points and Stephen Grosey added a double-double (14 points and 16 rebounds).

The Penguins continue the quick two-game homestand on Monday. The Penguins will be tested by first-place Azusa Pacific at 7:30 p.m. Live stats and pay-per-view video will be available at dominicanathletics.com/live with live audio provided by Penguin Radio and the student broadcasters at radio.dominican.edu.

It is also Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Night. During the annual nationwide event, coaches across the country unite for a common cause - fighting cancer! Dominican's coaches will wear sneakers with their game attire while coaching games to raise awareness about the disease and promote the American Cancer Society as a place for people facing cancer to turn 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free information and help. Make sure to join the coaches and rock sneakers with your dress attire to raise awareness about the fight against cancer.