FRESNO, CA -- Getting 26 points from All-American James Lewis, Fresno Pacific won its men's basketball opener on Friday, 91-52 over Holy Names University.
The Sunbirds, ranked No. 3 in the NAIA preseason poll, took an early 29-9 lead and never looked back. Lewis, a senior guard who led Fresno Pacific to the Golden State Athletic Conference title last season, was 11-of-17 from the field including 4-of-6 on 3-pointers.
Sunbirds coach Jim Saia said his team will get better.
"We were sloppy at times tonight and I didn't like our defense," Saia said. "We played hard but we're not playing smart yet. We've got a lot of new guys.
"We're a January team. We'll try to get better in November and December."
Next up for the Sunbirds is Wednesday's exhibition against crosstown rival Fresno State in the Save Mart Center. Women play at 6 p.m., men at 8.
