Box Score

Fresno Pacific led 40-38 at halftime on the road against the NAIA's top-ranked team, but the Sunbirds faltered in the second half as Azusa Pacific dominated the game's final 20 minutes to hand FPU an 87-69 loss.

"I thought we played pretty well for about 30 minutes," said FPU coach Chris Wright. "They came out with a lot more energy in the second half and played with a lot more passion. They did a great job of getting the ball inside. When you give up 46 points in the paint you're not going to win too many ball games."

The Sunbirds (5-3) played well in the first half, shooting near 50 percent and going toe-to-toe with the conference-favorite Cougars (5-1). A three-pointer by Deshaun Legree put the team ahead 28-26 with 7:08 remaining in the half and the team extended the lead to 34-30 minutes later.

APU would go on a 6-0 run to regain the lead, but the Sunbirds came right back getting a layup from Kendall Holmes and a three-pointer from Matt Christman, who had the hot-hand in the first half. FPU went into the break leading 40-38.

The Cougars wasted no time showing why many believe them to be the most talented team at the NAIA level, scoring the first six points of the second half and starting the half on a 10-2 run. The Cougars also managed to get All-GSAC post-player Reggie Owens going after a quiet first half.

"It was frustrating," said Wright. "We had a lot of shots rattle in and out, then we continued to miss key free throws."

FPU managed to keep it close and a three-pointer by Christman brought the score to 52-49 with 13:17 left. APU's Marshall Johnson answered immediately with a three of his own though and the Cougars didn't seem to look back from that point. After extending the lead to 11, FPU called a timeout and got a three-pointer from Legree on the ensuing possession, but the Cougars continued to score in bunches.

The score was 65-57 at that point with 8:10 remaining and the Sunbirds still within striking distance if they could put together a run. Instead the Cougars outscored the Sunbirds 18-4 over the next five minutes to put the game well out of reach.

The Sunbirds particularly struggled from the line, making just 7-of-16 free throws (44%). The team was out-rebounded 43-29 and was unable to contain a Cougar offense that shot 66 percent in the second half.

Christman led the Sunbirds with 16 points. Legree added 13, Jerante Morgan scored 12 and Jordan Wild had 10. No FPU player had more than four rebounds. Owens led all scorers with 18 points to lead APU, while Caleb Burgess and DeAngelo Riley added 16 and 15 points respectively.

The Sunbirds continue GSAC play back in Fresno on Saturday when they take on Vanguard at 4:30 pm.

Around the GSAC
Hope International (H) 68, The Master's 59
#16 Biola (H) 65, Westmont 46
Point Loma Nazarene (H) 76, California Baptist 67
#5 Concordia 86, Vanguard (H) 57