The shorthanded Sunbirds were unable to hold onto a seven point first-half lead as Cal State L.A. started the second half on an 11-3 run and took control in a 72-55 win. FPU shot just 27-percent in the second half going 7-of-26 from the field. 

Keairra White led the way for Fresno Pacific (0-5), which was without three of its top players, with 15 points; she has scored in double-digits in each of the first five games for the Sunbirds. Kayla Clement added 12 and was the only other Sunbird to score in double figures.

Cal State L.A. (3-0) was led by Tessondra Williams who had 15 points for the Golden Eagles. Kaija Powell chipped in 10 for CSULA. 

"We played a tough game," said head coach Erin Scholz. "We are continuing to make incremental improvements. We need to complete a 40-minute basketball game as far as staying disciplined in our concepts."

Fresno Pacific was forced to play without guard Jenay Herring, forward Keri Stephanoff and forward Brandi Blackwell who all missed their second straight game due to injury. The lack of depth was not an issue in the first half for the Sunbirds who were able to stay with the Golden Eagles offensively and hold them to just 35-percent shooting on the defensive end.

White dropped seven of her 15 in the first half to lead the Sunbirds into the break with a one-point advantage. Cal State L.A. closed the half on a 5-2 run in the final two minutes.

The second half was a different story for FPU as the lack of depth with only nine players began to hurt the Sunbirds who were unable to hang with the Golden Eagles after an 11-3 run in the first five minutes to start the half.

Cal State LA continued to build on their lead which ballooned to as many as 18 late in the second half.

The game was the first of two for FPU in the Cal State LA Thanksgiving Classic. The Sunbirds will take on Cal State Dominugez Hills tomorrow at 1 pm.