Box Score

AZUSA, Calif. - The Sunbirds held a four point advantage at the half but were unable to hang on against Azusa Pacific in a 64-56 loss on Monday. Jenay Herring led the way for FPU with 14 points, her second best offensive performance of the season.
 
Defense was not a problem for the Sunbirds (1-8, 1-2 PacWest) who held the Cougars (5-3, 3-0 PacWest) to a season-low 31.1-percent shooting from the floor while FPU shot 42.6-percent. A 17-5 advantage on the offensive glass for APU and 22 turnovers by the Sunbirds were too much to overcome in the end. Patrice Saindon added 11 points on 5-9 shooting, handed out four assists and pulled down six rebounds in the loss.
 
"We did a lot of really good things in this game," said head coach Lindsey Wilson. "We are very close to being a very good basketball team. I am very proud of the improvement and growth we have shown so far this season."
 
For the third time this season the Sunbirds were unable to hang on to a halftime advantage after being up four heading into the break on the Cougars. FPU maintained their lead for most of the second half until the 6:12 mark when Sendy Valles hit a pair of free throws and gave Azusa a lead they would not relinquish.
 
The charity stripe proved to be the difference maker in the game as the Cougars went to the line 33 times, 14 of which were from Allison Greene. Green scored 12 of her 16 in the game from the line.
 
"We gave them too many attempts from the free throw line," said Wilson. "It's hard to beat a good team when you give them 33 free chances."
 
Fresno Pacific will head up to San Rafael on Saturday for their final game before Christmas to face Dominican at 5:30 p.m.