Box score

Fresno, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team hosted another tough GSAC opponent in #4 ranked Vanguard University earlier this evening at FPU's Special Event Center. After a competitive first half and a tight second half which found Fresno Pacific leading late in the game, the nationally ranked Lions proved too much for the Sunbirds and went on to defeat FPU 67-54.

Sophomore forward #Jessica Torrecillas# and junior guard #Jessica Mazza# led the Sunbirds through a respectable first half performance during which there were three lead changes and ended with FPU trailing by just one. Torrecillas was 4-5 from the field with 10 points and Mazza was 4-7 with 9 points to end the first period of play.

To begin the second half, the Lions jumped out to extend their lead to 42-32 with 14:48 left to play. FPU responded and made a 10-0 run to tie it at 42-42 on a Torrecillas three-pointer with 11:18 on the clock. Vanguard would again retake control of the game, but the Sunbirds kept it close throughout the second half until Mazza's layup with 5:40 left to play gave the Sunbirds a slim 54-52 lead. 

However, that would be the final basket scored by FPU and as close as the Sunbirds would get to upsetting the defending national champions. The #4 Lions finished the game on an impressive 15-0 run and went on to defeat Fresno Pacific 67-54.

Mazza ended the game with a team high 15 points and had five rebounds. Torrecillas finished out with 13 points and 5 rebounds, and freshman forward Kerri Stephanoff scored 10.
                          
With the loss, the Sunbirds drop to 5-6 (1-3 GSAC) and will look to bounce back when they face Hope International this Saturday, January 10th in Fullerton, California. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30PM.