Box Score

Fresno Pacific did everything they could to put themselves in position to pull a major upset of #13 Azusa Pacific on its home court, but things didn't fall the Sunbirds' way in the final minute as APU held on to win 62-61.

Jenay Herring played one of the best games of her career, scoring 27 points with seven steals, six rebounds and five assists to lead the Sunbirds, but her last-second attempt didn't fall as the Sunbirds fell in the final possession to a top-15 team for the second time this season. FPU led for a majority of the game.

"I'm really pleased with our team and yet we must put an end to any and all mental lapses," head coach Erin Scholz would say afterward. "We are in the hunt."

The Sunbirds dropped to 13-12, 5-8 in GSAC play, and are currently in seventh place in the GSAC with five games remaining. The Cougars improved to 17-6, 10-3 in the conference.

Keri Stephanoff brought the Sunbirds within one with two free-throws with 26 seconds left. The Sunbirds fouled and the Cougars would miss the front end of the one-and-one before Herring drove in for a layup that didn't fall.

FPU led by as many as eight in the second half and still held a lead up until the 3:18 mark. Kayla Clement scored 12 points, all on three-pointers and Brandi Blackwell had a team-high seven rebounds.

Amber Williams led APU with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Briana Hall added 18 points.

The Sunbirds take on San Diego Christian at home this Saturday at 2:30 pm. FPU defeated SDCC on the road earlier this season, but the Hawks have gone on a hot streak which included an upset over first-place Westmont and are now a game ahead of the Sunbirds in the standings.