Box Score

Riverside, Calif. -- Twice this season with the game on the line in the final seconds the Sunbirds were snake bitten by their opponents, but the third time was the charm as FPU picked up its first win of the year holding on for a 56-54 over California Baptist in Riverside.
 
"This was huge for us," said head coach Lindsey Wilson. "Getting this win takes the pressure off and now we can just relax, go out there every game and just play basketball."
 
Three players hit double figures for head coach Lindsey Wilson who picked up her first win at the helm of the program. Charde Stevens led the way with 14 points and 17 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass, picking up her second straight double-double along the way. Freshman Bree Alvarez knocked down 11 points on 4-5 shooting including 3-4 from beyond the arc, and junior Jenay Herring added 12 points and a game-ending steal for the Sunbirds (1-7, 1-1 PacWest).
 
After trailing by two at the half the Sunbirds allowed CBU (2-7, 0-3 PacWest) to go on a 10-0 run to start the second period before rallying with a 12-6 run of their own to get back into the game. Alvarez scored six points during the stretch.
 
The Sunbirds kept the deficit around six for most of the remainder of the half until Herring put FPU in front with just 1:19 remaining. The Madera native stepped up on the defensive end at the end picking the pocket of Chanel Cambronero with two seconds remaining to end the game.
 
"We played hard for 40 minutes tonight and I am very proud of our girls," said Wilson. "We still have a lot of work to do, but this was definitely a step in the right direction."
 
The win was the first for the Sunbirds in Riverside since 2006 when FPU defeated the Lancers 89-80. Fresno Pacific will look to start a winning streak on Monday when they face Azusa Pacific in Azusa at 5:30 p.m.