Box Score

Five players scored in double figures as Fresno Pacific defeated visiting Point Loma Nazarene 89-78 on Saturday. The Sunbirds played up-tempo all day and it caught up to the Sea Lions in the second half as FPU outscored the Sea Lions 51-38 after trailing by two at the break.

Deshaun Legree and Jerante Morgan each scored 17 points for FPU, as the Sunbirds improved to 12-5 and brought themselves into a tie with PLNU in the GSAC at 5-3.

Jordan Wild posted his seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while fellow senior Adam Kado did a terrific job as the floor general in a fast-paced game, finishing with 10 points and eight assists.Matt Christman added some crucial buckets, finishing with 14 points.

The Sunbirds shot 60 percent in the second half, keeping the pressure on the Sea Lions who were unable match FPU's depth and zone defense. The Sunbird bench outscored PLNU 29-9, while the Sea Lions turned the ball over 19 times.

PLNU (9-8, 5-3 GSAC) used a hot-shooting first half to stay in the game and hung around until the closing minutes, making a late push to get within five, but the Sunbirds helped themselves by making 20-of-26 free throws and maintaining their composure in the closing minutes, even when the team's only point guard, Kado, was on the sidelines.

FPU coach Chris Wright emphasized increased effort this week after the team's letdown at Biola on Tuesday night.

“I didn't feel like we put in a full 40 minutes at Biola,” said Wright. “This week we just tried to keep things simple and focus on effort, both mental and physical.”

The first-year coach pointed to the team's 15 offensive rebounds as evidence that they'd made progress this week. “We talked about having the resolve to finish possessions. In the second half we finished some plays we hadn't been finishing before and that was really the difference in this game.” The Sunbirds held a 16-7 advantage in second-chance points.

FPU applied pressure right away, making it clear from the get-go that PLNU would have to work to get the ball up court. The Sunbirds would use that energy to eventually open up a 29-19 lead, with Kado directing traffic and Legree doing much of the damage.

But after a couple breakdowns in the FPU zone, the Sea Lions were right back in it with three pointers from Marek Klassen and Rhett Beal. The Sunbirds would go back up by five, but three-pointers by Greg Murray and Wil Bush just before halftime gave PLNU a 40-38 lead.

The Sunbirds made it clear that they were not letting up in the second half, forcing PLNU into a turnover on the first possession. A drive the hoop by Christman tied it and a jumper by Morgan, who was a mismatch for PLNU defenders all game, gave the Sunbirds back the lead.

Murray would hit a three to give PLNU what would be its last lead of the game 47-46, but Christman answered for FPU with a three on the ensuing possession. The Sunbirds would steadily build up the lead, getting key second chance buckets along the way to eventually hold a 79-68 lead with 4:40 to play.

The Sea Lions weren't about to let the game end without any excitement though, and proceeded to go on an 8-2 run, sparked by a put-back dunk from Murray. PLNU forced four FPU turnovers in that span, cutting the lead to five with three minutes left, and would have a chance to make it a one-possession game after a steal by Beal.

The Sea Lions were unable to capitalize however, missing a layup and then turning the ball twice in the next 30 seconds. They were forced to foul and FPU was able to stretch the lead back to 11.

James Hancock led PLNU with 20 points, but the Sea Lion post-player managed just two rebounds as FPU was very aggressive on the boards, holding a 41-34 advantage. Murray had 16 points, Beal scored 15 and Klassen added 11 for the Sea Lions, who shot 32 percent in the second half and just 2-for-15 from long-range (after hitting 6-of-9 threes in the first).

The two teams are now deadlocked in a three-way tie for fourth place in the GSAC. The other team in that tie being FPU's next opponent, Westmont. The Sunbirds play at Westmont on Tuesday night in another GSAC game that is critical as teams lobby for positioning.

“They have a lot of seniors that have been through these GSAC battles,” said Wright on Westmont. “They're a tough team to play and are as well coached as anyone at our level.”

With the win the Sunbirds also tied up the all-time series with Point Loma Nazarene. In 66 meetings the two schools have each won 33 games. The Sunbirds also continued their dominance over PLNU in Fresno, where the Sea Lions haven't won since the 2003-04 season.