Box Score

EL CAJON, Calif. - A furious FPU comeback fell short Saturday night as the Sunbirds fought back from a 15-point second-half deficit to make it a two-point game before failing to capitalize in the final minutes of a 61-55 loss at San Diego Christian.

The Sunbirds (11-6, 2-4 GSAC), fresh off a 20-point upset of #7 Azusa Pacific, fell to the last place Hawks (5-8, 1-5 GSAC) despite 25 points from Donte Nicholas. FPU made just 8-of-18 free-throws in the loss, while the Hawks connected on 11 three-pointers.

The Sunbirds really struggled offensively, particularly in the first half, as they went into the locker room trailing 31-22. Nicholas would score 25 on 9-of-14 shooting and finish with seven rebounds and five assists, but the rest of the team shot just 12-of-35 from the field, 2-for-10 from the line, and scored a combined 30 points.

SDCC also had a 36-28 advantage on the boards. Arturo Prieto led four players in double figures for the Hawks, finishing with 12 points.

"The effort that needed to be there just wasn't there tonight," said coach Chris Wright. "You can't take any team lightly in this league. They played harder than we did tonight and they deserved to win."

FPU closed the gap in the second half and got within five with 7:24 remaining before two consecutive Hawk three-pointers. The Sunbirds stormed back again, going on a 9-0 run to get within 57-55 with three minutes left. The team would have multiple chances from that point, but would go 0-for-5 the rest of the way.

A potential and-one play by Nicholas that would have tied the game was negated due to an offensive foul call with 2:22 remaining. The Hawks knocked down free-throws down the stretch to end it.

The Sunbirds have another tough GSAC road matchup this Tuesday night as they face #20 Biola in La Mirada. The Eagles, like the Sunbirds, have been inconsistent this year but are the only team to have defeated first-place Concordia.

The FPU loss was part of another crazy day in the GSAC which saw two games go to overtime, #7 Azusa Pacific (who'd just been blown out by the Sunbirds on Tuesday) cruise past first-place #4 Concordia by a wide margin and Point Loma Nazarene upset #20 Biola 51-50.

Around the GSAC
#7 Azusa Pacific 85, #4 Concordia 66
Point Loma Nazarene 51, #20 Biola 50
Westmont 73, Hope International 70 (OT)
Vanguard 80, #16 Master's 76 (OT)

Standings