Box Score

Fresno Pacific led for most of the game, but a late push by Point Loma Nazarene overtook the Sunbirds 62-59 as FPU suffered another frustrating loss in a game that could have gone either way.

Jessica Torrecillas scored 21 points and Michele Rebozzi added 18, but despite playing very well at times, the team got some tough breaks in the second half and would relinquish a 14-point second-half lead.

After leading by five at the half, the team seemed locked-in mentally to start the second half and the combination of Torrecillas and Rebozzi helped the Sunbirds establish a 41-27 lead at the 17-minute mark. Rebozzi knocked down a deep three pointer at the beginning of the half and added another minutes later on a ridiculously good pass from Jenay Herring.

Three PLNU three-pointers in the next minute and a half would get the Sea Lions back in it, but FPU still led 48-40 with 11 minutes to play. The Sunbirds really had a hard time stopping PLNU's guards from penetrating though.

Back to back fast break layups by Sea Lion point guard Brianna Colon would later cut the lead to 48-46 and the rest of the game would be a nailbiter. After a string of bad possessions, Torrecillas out-muscled a PLNU player on an offensive rebound and ended a scoring drought, putting the Sunbirds up 50-46.

PLNU's Crissa Jackson would then take over, slashing to the hoop for two quick buckets to tie the game, then giving the Sea Lions the lead on another basket before sinking four consecutive free-throws to give her 10 points in a two-minute span.

Things weren't looking good for the Sunbirds, down 58-52 with just over four minutes remaining and Herring having fouled out. But Torrecilas continued to battle inside, converting a three-point play to make the score 58-55, before a Sea Lion jumper on the other end.

With 1:50 to play Torrecillas once again brought the Sunbirds within three, with a difficult inside move and layup. The Sea Lions answered quickly again, before Rebozzi knocked down a short jumper to give the team a chance in the final minute.

Forced to foul, the Sunbirds would benefit from a missed 1-and-1 free throw attempt by PLNU and after a huge rebound from Breana Buczek, would call timeout with 10 seconds to play. On the final possession though FPU was unable to get a good look, working the ball around but not getting a shot off until it was too late.

Torrecillas recorded her seventh double-double of the season, grabbing 12 rebounds to go with her 21 points. Rebozzi finished with 18, including four three-pointers, while Herring scored 10 and dished out six assists.

The Sunbirds dominated on the boards, out-rebounding the Sea Lions 41-24, but PLNU took good care of the ball, turning it over just six times. FPU played very well during stretches of the first half, jumping out to an 18-7 lead at the start due to some lights-out shooting by Rebozzi and Herring and some fine post-play by Torrecillas.

The Sea Lions improved to 8-7, 3-4 in the GSAC with the win. Jackson led the Sea Lions with 21 points and Colon added 12. It was FPU's 12th consecutive loss to PLNU, dating back to the 2004-05 season.

FPU (7-11, 0-8 GSAC) travels to Santa Barbara on Tuesday night for a tough matchup with Westmont. The Warriors (12-4, 4-4 GSAC) have received votes in the NAIA Top 25.