Box Score

Fresno Pacific put up a solid effort on the road against one of the NAIA's top teams, but it was Azusa Pacific winning the conference opener 71-58 on Tuesday night.

The NAIA #2 Cougars (7-1) are the preseason conference favorite and return the majority of their players from a national runner-up team last season. Jessica Torrecillas led the Sunbirds (4-2) with 18 points.

Breana Buczek had 11 points and eight boards, while Kelly Thompson grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Jenay Herring contributed five assists and four steals.

The Sunbirds refused to go away all night, battling back from a 22-point second half deficit to outscore the Cougars over the game's final 12 minutes. FPU trailed 53-31 with just under 13 minutes to play but went on a 9-0 run fueled by Thompson and Callie Rohrbacker.

APU began the game by scoring the first six points before the Sunbirds went on a 7-0 run to take the lead. FPU led 11-10 with 11:50 remaining in the first half, but that would be the last Sunbird lead as the Cougars went on a 9-0 run, then used a string of FPU turnovers and fouls to build up a 38-24 halftime lead.

The Sunbirds turned the ball over 21 times in the loss and only got to the free throw line seven times. They did force the Cougars into 16 turnovers, but were outscored 42-20 in the paint. Alex Moore-Porter led APU with 15 points. Kristie Hala'ufia added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

FPU is back at home on Saturday for another early season conference test. The Sunbirds take on #5 Vanguard at 2 pm.

Around the GSAC
The Masters 74, Hope International (H) 72
#5 Vanguard (H) 82, Concordia 74
#17 Point Loma Nazarene (H) 82, California Baptist 80 (OT)
#13 Biola (H) 78, Westmont 55