Box Score

Despite holding Northwest Nazarene to just 34-percent shooting in the first half, the Sunbirds were unable to solve the Crusader defense as they fell 75-58 in Idaho.

FPU (0-4) was plagued by inconsistencies on the offensive side of the ball, most notably a meager 32-percent (8-25) from three-point range. Overall the Sunbirds shot just 33-percent (20-59) from the field and 76-percent (10-13) from the charity stripe.

"They played a 2-3 zone and did a very good job of keeping us out of the paint," said head coach Lindsey Wilson. "It forced us to take outside shots and we just didn't hit them. We have to make those shots in order to win games."

Callie Rohrbacker and Patrice Saindon each scored nine points for the Sunbirds who had another well-balanced offensive attack. Brandi Blackwell and Charde Stevens both added eight, and Stevens added six boards to the lead the Sunbirds, including four on the offensive glass. Saindon dished out seven of the team's 13 assists.

Turnovers also played their part as the Sunbirds coughed the ball up 27 times, including 17 in the first half, which led to 29 Crusader points. NNU committed 20 turnovers that led to 19 Sunbird points.

"We have to get better about finding teammates and making better smarter passes," said Wilson. "We got better in the second half, but we still need to clean those tings up."

The Sunbirds jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead in the early stages of the first half before Northwest Nazarene went on a 15-7 run to grab a 17-13 lead. The Crusaders also closed the half on a 7-3 lead to take a 32-22 lead into the half.

In the second half NNU doubled up FPU in the paint with 16 points which helped push their lead to as much as 21 with 2:02 remaining.

Despite the loss, the Sunbirds will get one more chance to topple the Crusaders tomorrow night when they face NNU for the second consecutive night.

"It is a game that we can win tomorrow," said Wilson. "We just have to play better."

Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. PST from Idaho. The Sunbirds have never defeated Northwest Nazarene as the Crusaders improved to 5-0 all-time against Fresno Pacific.