Box score
Ashland, 0regon - The Fresno Pacific men's basketball team faced off earlier this evening against Southern Oregon University in non-conference play. After trailing at the half, the Sunbirds were able to eventually defeat the Raiders 82-74, and make it four wins in a row.
After a slow start to the game which found a couple FPU's players in early foul trouble, the Raiders were able to pull ahead by as much as 10 points in the first half. Sunbirds starters Marcus West and Todd Brown accumulated two fouls each early in the game which sidelined both players for a significant part of the first period. FPU pulled together as a team and finished strong to end the half cutting the deficit to just one point, and trailed 30-31 at the break.
To open the second half, SOU jumped out early on to extend their lead back up to six points, but the Sunbirds would again respond and overcome the deficit to take the lead for good. With FPU up by 10 and in control of the game with just under five minutes left to play, the Raiders began sending the Sunbirds to the free-throw line. From there, FPU sealed the deal and was solid from the line to help them to the 82-74 road win.
Although playing only 15 minutes due to early fouled trouble, the Sunbirds were led offensively by senior Marcus West who went 7-10 from the field and 4-5 from the line for 20 points.
Junior forward Todd Brown was also sidelined in the first half with two fouls, but managed to score 16 points with 6 rebounds, and was a perfect 8-8 from the line.
Junior guard James Lewis also put up 16 points while teammate Jordan Wild was strong in the paint with an impressive 13 boards.
"This was a good road win for us," admitted FPU assistant coach Chris Wright. "We've had a little break since our last game (Point Loma Nazarene) and are just happy to get out of here with our fourth win in a row."
With the win, the Sunbirds improve to 7-3 and will look to extend their four game winning streak this Thursday, December 18th when they host Rocky Mountain in the FPU Special Event Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00PM.
