LA MIRADA, CA. - The #3 ranked FPU men's basketball team stumbled Tuesday evening in their GSAC opener as they faced #17 Biola, losing to the Eagles 61-49. 

The Sunbird's Craig Ash went 7-10 from the field and put up 14 points to lead the way for FPU, while senior guard James Lewis Jr. went 4-12 from the field and 2-4 from three point distance.

FPU struggled shooting from 3-point distance going just 3-25 from behind the arc.

"We have to do better than 3-25 from distance if we're going to win games in the GSAC," acknowledged FPU assistant coach Chris Wright.

"Credit to Biola though. They played tough tonight and worked hard for the win," Wright added.

Biola's Josh Miller led the way for the Eagles with 14 points while Marlon King contributed 11.

With the win, Biola improves to a perfect 5-0 (1-0 GSAC) and hands FPU their first loss of the season. Fresno Pacific is now 6-1 (0-1 GSAC) and will look to regroup this weekend.

FPU's loss comes at just the wrong time in that the Sunbirds were one win away from a possible #1 national ranking after having beat #1 ranked Robert Morris a few weeks prior.