Box Score
Senior Night Photos
Chris Wright post-game interview

Fresno Pacific played one of its most complete games of the season, handling all the emotions that come with senior night before the game and proceeding to blow past the GSAC 4th-place Westmont Warriors 75-58.

Jordan Wild had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Jerante Morgan was a shot-blocking machine, Kendall Holmes got in done inside, and Adam Kado gave Westmont fits all night, as all four seniors went out with a win.

The Sunbirds (18-10, 11-8) clinched the GSAC's #5 seed with the win, setting up a third game with the Warriors (who have clinched the conference's 4-seed) next week in Santa Barbara. Westmont won the first meeting 73-70 before FPU evened the series tonight.

Defense was the main storyline for the Sunbirds tonight and it led to increased offense. FPU forced 22 Warrior turnovers, very uncharacteristic of a Westmont team, and held the Warriors to 58 points, well below their season average of 75.

Dan Rasp was the only Warrior in double figures with 12 points and even he had all kinds of trouble dealing with Wild and Morgan inside. Westmont guard Preston Branson came in averaging more than 17 points per game but was held to a 1-for-10 shooting night and finished with just six points.

The Sunbirds would use that suffocating defense to create opportunities on the other end. Rickey Vick helped set the tone early on after a pass was tipped away, diving for a loose ball and having the awareness to tip it upcourt to an open Kado who finished the fastbreak to put FPU up 13-6.

Morgan picked up two quick fouls after the Sunbirds had jumped out to a lead, but the team didn't miss a beat. Matt Christman drained a three to make it 16-6, bringing the senior night crowd to its feet. The Sunbirds led by as many as 13 in the first half and led 34-23 at the break.

A Brandon Rowe dunk helped the Sunbirds gain momentum to close out the half after Westmont had briefly cut the lead to five. Rowe would add a similar dunk later in the game, making him the a crowd-favorite.

In the second half, the Sunbirds never allowed a Westmont run to materialize. Westmont would never get within single digits from that point, as FPU's used its zone defense to swarm the Warriors.

The Sunbirds helped themselves by shooting a season-best 22-of-25 from the free-throw line (88%), with Holmes sinking 6-of-6 attempts. In addition the seniors, Casper Hesseldal gave FPU a game-high 16 points and Christman added 10.

FPU will conclude the regular season with a road trip to Cal Baptist (14-14, 8-11 GSAC). The Sunbirds will look to avenge a bad loss from earlier in the season, when the team came out flat and played one of its worst games of the year in a 69-58 loss to the Lancers.

The game will not have any effect on playoff positioning, as FPU holds the tiebreaker with Point Loma Nazarene from beating the Sea Lions twice. The Sunbirds can't afford to lose though, as they still have an outside shot at an at-large bid to the national tournament.

Around the GSAC
San Diego Christian (H) 83, Vanguard 77 (OT)
#3 Concordia (H) 66, California Baptist 60*
#12 Biola 62, Hope International (H) 52
The Masters (H) 78, #6 Azusa Pacific 77

2011 FPU Seniors

Craig Ash

Craig came to FPU from Pontiac, Michigan in 2008 and has made a tremendous impact as a player and team leader. He totaled 291 points and 184 rebounds as a starter on the team that advanced to the NAIA Sweet Sixteen last season.

Coach Wright says: Throughout his years at Fresno Pacific Craig Ash has been the heart and soul of our program. Whether he's been in the role of our starting center or assistant coach, Craig has always brought passion and a winning attitude to those around him. I know he is going to accomplish great things in life. Since the first day he arrived at FPU, Craig has been like a son to me and it's going to hurt not to have him around anymore.

Kendall Holmes

A 6'5” center from Antioch, California, Kendall came to Fresno Pacific in 2008. A tremendous low-post scorer, he's totaled 416 points and 154 rebounds in two seasons with the team.

Coach Wright says: Throughout his time at Fresno Pacific Kendall has established himself as a dominant low post scorer. He is a guy that when you throw the ball inside to him, you know you're likely to get a bucket. His improvement in the classroom has also been remarkable throughout the past three years. We are excited to see him graduate in May.

Adam Kado

A point guard from St. Paul, Minnesota, Adam came to Fresno Pacific in 2008 and was a key player on that year's GSAC championship team. He's scored 434 points and dished out 192 assists in two seasons with the Sunbirds.

Coach Wright says: Adam's work ethic since arriving at Fresno Pacific has been nothing short of exceptional. You will not find anyone who works harder than Adam Kado. His ability to run our team has been a key to our program's success throughout his time here.

Jerante Morgan

A forward from Greenville, South Carolina, Jerante transferred to FPU this season and wasted no time establishing himself as a team leader. He's totaled 324 points, 149 rebounds and 38 blocks this year while leading the team in scoring.

Coach Wright says: Jerante has been an absolute pleasure to coach this year. He is one of the most respectful and thankful players that I have ever coached. When you combine these things with the God-given ability that he has, it makes him a special player. There is no doubt that Fresno Pacific basketball will greatly miss Jerante Morgan.

Jordan Wild

Jordan came to FPU from Kingsburg in 2007 and has contributed in every way to the program's success. With 87 wins and counting, Jordan has been a part of more victories than any other player in men's basketball history. He's played all five positions in his time here, totaling 790 points, 526 rebounds, 161 assists and 117 steals, cracking the all-time top-ten list in rebounds and steals.

Coach Wright says: Jordan is one of the best athletes to ever play basketball at FPU. His competitiveness coupled with his talent has helped him have a very good career at Fresno Pacific. He will leave the university as the most successful men's basketball player, in terms of wins, in FPU history.