A lackluster second half did in the Sunbirds on Tuesday night as FPU fell 63-56 after leading 38-33 at halftime. The Sunbirds (1-7) were plagued by 28 turnovers and were outscored 30-18 in the second half. Jenay Herring led FPU with 17 points. Jasmine Shedrick added 13 and Charde Stevens grabbed 11 rebounds.

FPU fell behind 20-12 before a 19-0 Sunbird run gave the team a 31-20 lead. The Flames would close out the half on a 7-0 run however to draw within five and would continue the momentum into the second half, starting off the period on an 18-6 run.

FPU out-shot the Flames 44% to 36% and, despite a distinct size disadvantage, out-rebounded Bethesda 38-33, but the team's turnovers would be too much to overcome. Lucille Gleason poured in a game-high 22 points as the Flames improved to 6-8 on the season. Lisette Longomo added 17 points while Emillie Muandibu had 12 points and 14 rebounds.

"In the second half we didn't take care of the basketball, we didn't trust our teammates or trust in what we were trying to do," said head coach Lindsey Wilson. "They didn't do anything differently, we just panicked and tried to start playing individually. We have to play together. We did a lot of great things in spurts in the first half. We were playing as a team, playing together, moving the basketball and playing team defense. But we lost focus in the second half and you can't do that against a team as good and athletic as Bethesda is. They're one of the most athletic teams we'll see all year. With as many newcomers as we have, it's going to take time but it's also going to take trust, and we're just not there yet."

The Sunbirds host Point Loma on Saturday at 5:30 pm.