Box Score

ROCKLIN, Calif. - Six players scored in double figures as Fresno Pacific defeated Northwest Christian 79-71 to open up the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic on Friday.

Keri Stephanoff scored 16 points to go with 10 rebounds and Jenay Herring nearly recorded a triple-double with 13 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to lead FPU's balanced scoring attack.

The Sunbirds (2-0) also got 13 points from Keairra White, 12 apiece from Sienna Gonzales and Stephanie Larson, and 10 from Brandi Blackwell. FPU's depth played a key role in the win as the Sunbird bench outscored NWC's 38-18.

FPU led 15-6 early on and 26-17 at one point, but saw that lead evaporate in the closing minutes of the first half as Northwest Christian went on a 15-0 run to take the lead 33-26 with three minutes left in the half. A bucket by White finally stopped the run and the Sunbirds were able to get back within 33-32 at halftime.

Right out of the gate in the second half Herring went inside to Larson for a basket giving FPU a lead that it wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way. The game remained close for most of the second half before FPU eventually opened up a 10-point lead, 55-45, with 10 minutes to play. Gonzales was 3-for-3 on three-pointers in the second half to help the Sunbirds pull away.

A Herring three-pointer appeared to put the game away, giving the Sunbirds a 12-point lead with 2:37 left but Northwest Christian proceeded to go on a run that cut the lead to four with 33 seconds left. Stephanoff and Herring each sank a pair of free throws down the stretch however to seal the win for FPU.

Northwest Christian was led by Aly Bruns' 18 points. Lindsey Shearer added 10 points and 14 rebounds. FPU led 18-5 in points scored off turnovers and would force 25 NWC turnovers on the day.

The tournament continues tomorrow, with the Sunbirds taking on Oregon Tech at 1 pm.