Basketball "Meet the Team" Wednesday

Coach Jim Saia's Sunbirds were 26-8 last season

        FRESNO, CA -- Fresno Pacific men's basketball, coming off a season that included a conference title, Top 10 ranking and trip to the NAIA national tournament, will show off its 2009-10 team on Wednesday (Oct. 21) at the Special Events Center.

        The "Meet The Team" event will begin at 7 p.m. The first 250 fans will receive tee shirts.

        The action will include 3-point shooting and dunk contests and a full intra-squad scrimmage.

        Last year, the second season under coach Jim Saia, the Sunbirds finished 26-8, won the Golden State Athletic Conference with a 17-3 record and were ranked as high as No. 6 in the national poll.

        Senior guard James Lewis, a first-team NAIA All-American, and All-GSAC junior forward Todd Brown lead the returnees. Top newcomers include three transfers: guards Jesse Childs (Wisconsin-Green Bay) and Adrian Hernandez (Tulsa) and center RouSean Cromwell (USC).

        "I believe we will be better this year," said Saia, whose coaching resume includes stints at USC, UCLA and Fresno State. "We have more talent this year.

        "We're pretty athletic, more skilled at point guard and have more inside strength. We'll be better defensively, which will create turnovers."

        Fresno Pacific opens its 2009-10 season Oct. 30 against Holy Names in the Special Events Center. The Sunbirds play an exhibition against Fresno State on Nov. 4 at the Save Mart Center.

        Season tickets, at $50 each, are on sale by calling (559) 453-8180.

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