Box score
Fresno, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's basketball team (16-3) is reaching unparalleled success this season under the guidance of second-year head coach Jim Saia. Tonight's tough 84-80 home win over visiting GSAC contender Concordia University (RV) was another example of the kind of gritty performance that has resulted in FPU's current 13 game winning streak (school record), their perfect 9-0 GSAC start, and an unprecedented and school best # 6 national ranking.
After gaining an early 4-2 advantage, the Sunbirds led throughout the remainder of the first half with the period ending FPU 35 - CU 30. Fresno Pacific extended their lead to as much as 13 points in the second half with 18:18 left to play, but the Eagles would not go quitely.
Concordia battled back to tie the game at 48 apiece, and took their only lead of the game on their next possession to make it 50-48 with 10:50 left to play. To their frustration, that was as close as the Eagles would get to upsetting the hosts.
The Sunbirds responded and were able to retake the lead on sophomore forward Jordan Wild's layup at the 10:48 mark to make it 52-50. FPU would go on to lead until the final buzzer. To their credit, the Eagles kept it close for the remainder of the contest and had a few strong pushes to cut FPU's lead down to just two points, but were never able to retake control of game, eventually losing by four.
FPU shot an impressive 65% (30-46) from the field, 73% (8-11) from three-point distance, and 90% (16-18) from the free-throw line. Senior guard James Lewis Jr. had another big night for the Sunbirds shooting 8-12 from the field, 3-4 from behind the arc, and was 2-2 from the free-throw line scoring a game high 21 points. FPU senior guard/forward Marcus West also had a solid performance scoring 20 points, snatching six rebounds, while junior forward Kendall Holmes was strong off the bench going 6-7 from the field and 5-5 from the line for 17 points.
"This was obviously a very big win for us, especially given the fact that Concordia has historically had a lot of success and is always a solid team," commented FPU assistant coach Chris Wright. "We know we have another big home game on Tuesday to prepare for, and then we can begin to focus on the second round of GSAC play."
FPU will hope to build off of this momentum and continue their historic run Tuesday, Januaury 27th when they host The Master's College at FPU's Special Event Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30PM.
