Box Score

In a game that featured as much excitement and athleticism as any at the NAIA level, Fresno Pacific fell 71-69 on the road to Cal State San Marcos and former coach Jim Saia.

The Sunbirds had the ball with 12 seconds left after a Cougar missed free-throw, but couldn't get a shot off on the final possession as the ball was tipped away twice and rolled on the floor as time expired.

The game, matching two teams with very similar makeup and styles, featured multiple lead changes and was a one or two possession game for the entire second half.

"Obviously it's heartbreaking to lose another close one, but this was one heck of a game," said FPU coach Chris Wright. "I just don't think our record right now is indicative of how good of a team we are. We're not going to make excuses, we're just going to keep getting better.

Coach Saia called the game "one of the better games I've been involved in" and had high praise for Coach Wright and the Sunbirds afterwards.

"Chris is a remarkable young coach and I'm very proud of him," said Saia. " There isn't a coach I've coached against this year that did as good a job of making in-game adjustments on us."

"The job Chris is doing with the injuries and misfortune they've had is unbelievable," Saia continued. "Take away one or two of those bad breaks and they're easily the top team in the GSAC. I'd be very disappointed if anyone in Fresno criticizes the job Chris is doing. That would just be ignorant."

 The Sunbirds started slow after traveling all day, but by the end of the first half had fought their way back into it. It took a Cougar three-pointer by Jacob Ranger at the half's buzzer to send CSUSM into the locker room with a 36-35 lead.

FPU took the lead with five minutes left in the game 61-59 after a deep three by Kenny Bradford. The Cougars would quickly respond and by the two-minute mark had built up a two-possesion lead. The Sunbirds frantically fought their way back though, as Antonio Credit, Eric Hipolito and Donte Nicholas each scored in the final two minutes to cut the Cougar lead to one, 70-69 with 23 seconds left before the aforementioned final play transpired.

Nicholas had 24 points and nine rebounds for the Sunbirds (12-11) while Credit and Matt Christman each scored 14. Bradford dished out eight assists. Jacob Ranger had 25 to lead the Cougars (15-10), with Tim Steed adding 23.

The teams shot nearly identical percentages from both the field and the free-throw line, shooting well above 50 percent from the field but actually shooting a lower percentage from the line. Both teams committed 17 turnovers and both made seven three-pointers.

Cal State San Marcos is playing its first season of NAIA basketball and holds wins over NAIA Top 10 teams Robert Morris and Mountain State.

FPU will remain in San Diego county as the team returns to conference play against Point Loma Nazarene on Saturday at 4:30 pm. The Sea Lions (14-6, 7-4 GSAC) won the first meeting between the two teams, coming back from a 30-19 halftime deficit in Fresno to win 70-64 behind an astounding 25 second-half points from guard Marek Klassen.