Box Score

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Fresno Pacific got a season-high 13 points from senior Brandi Blackwell in her final game as the Sunbirds closed out their first season under head coach Lindsey Wilson with a 79-67 win over Chaminade.
 
The Sunbirds finish the season 12-14 overall and 12-8 in conference, their first winning conference season in 12 years, completing an incredible turnaround season tripling their win total from 2012-13. FPU also improved in nearly every statistical team category including a massive jump from 14th, dead last in 2012-13, to 3rd in field goal percentage. The Sunbirds were also the fifth toughest team to score against this season allowing just 69.4 points per game.
 
"I think this has been an overall great year for us. We have exceeded everyone's expectations," said Wilson. "I knew coming in we had a lot to change and a lot that we wanted to do differently and the players were willing to buy in and do those things we were asking them to. "
 
Blackwell was one of four Sunbirds to score in double-digits on the night along with juniors Jenay Herring, Keairra White and Jazmine Simpson. As a team Fresno Pacific shot a season-high 50.8-percent from the floor on 14-of-34 shooting. Coach Wilson's team hit 50-percent or higher from the floor three times this season, a feet last-year's team was not able to accomplish once.
 
Fresno Pacific used a 17-7 run midway through the second half to push their lead to double-digits. The lead ballooned to 17 before Chaminade closed the game on an 8-3 run to close the lead to 12.
 
"About halfway through that second half we decided to really buckle down and do the things that we have been doing all season to make us successful," said Wilson.
 
The program's future looks bright, as the Sunbirds will continue to build on their success season in their first season of full NCAA Division II membership. Next season Fresno Pacific will be eligible for NCAA postseason play.

"Now that they understand what our expectations are as a basketball program we have to continue to do all of those things and we have a bright future ahead," said Wilson.