Box Score

Less than a week after defeating UC Merced in overtime, Fresno Pacific left no doubt about the outcome, handing the Bobcats a 79-54 loss at the FPU Thanksgiving Shootout.

Antonio Credit had his way with an undersized Bobcat-team, pacing the Sunbirds with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Eric Hipolito would add 15 points off the bench, while Kenny Bradford and George DeLeon finished with 13 points each.

"We were a little bit healthier and a lot more focused," said FPU coach Chris Wright afterward. "We had four pretty tough practices this week and we wanted to focus on defending and controlling the glass. This is the first time this season I think we did both well."

A big difference between last weekend's 71-70 overtime win in Merced and today's 25-point win came on the glass. Whereas last weekend the Sunbirds gave up 24 offensive rebounds alone to a Bobcat team with no player over 6'6", tonight FPU dominated the boards with a 44-28 advantage.

It started with Credit, who was active on both ends of the floor all night and helped the Sunbirds earn second chance points while outscoring the Bobcats 36-18 in the paint.

"He was really good all-around," said Wright of his junior forward. "When he brings as much energy as he did tonight he can really dominate a game."

DeLeon was also active on the glass, finishing with nine rebounds, and helped the Sunbirds turn in a strong defensive effort. FPU had 16 steals as a team, led by five from Bradford and four by DeLeon. Bradford was rock-solid all night, giving the Sunbirds stability on the floor and continuing his string of quality performances. He led the team with five assists.

After a back and forth start to the game, FPU took control in the final nine minutes of the first half going on a 13-0 run with Credit and Hipolito provided most of the scoring. Three-pointers by DeLeon and Zach Kaul helped FPU extend the lead and go into the locker room up 45-27.

The Bobcats would get within 15 before a 14-0 Sunbird run made the score 63-34, a lead UC Merced would not be able to surmount. Aki Chambers was the lone Bobcat in double figures, scoring 12 points. No UC Merced player had more than four rebounds.

FPU continues the Thanksgiving Shootout tomorrow, hosting Cal State Stanislaus at 4 pm. The NCAA D2 Warriors won a tightly-contested battle today with Texas A&M International 85-77.