FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Pacific's upset bid against #19 BYU-Hawaii fell short Thursday, as the Seasiders closed the final three minutes on a 9-2 run to earn their second PacWest victory against the Sunbirds this season with an 82-73 win.
 
FPU has now lost nine straight and stands at 5-11 overall and 1-8 in league play. BYUH improves to 14-2 overall and 8-2 in the PacWest with the win.
 
"I thought the guys executed the game plan and I'm proud of them for that," said head coach Shane Rinner. "It's tough to lose, but BYU is a very good team and very well coached.  I thought we gave ourselves a shot to win the game, but the execution at the end of the game with a couple key turnovers and missed box-outs made the difference."
 
FPU used a 5-0 run under five minutes to play with a Madison Higgins layup in transition and a Gabe Solarin three to take a 71-70 lead. BYUH responded with a three, however, at the 3:17 mark to earn a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Seasiders led 35-30 at the intermission.
 
Roger Paul led the Sunbirds with a career-high 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Bobby Barnes added 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Trevon Clayton added 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
 
FPU shot 45% from the floor as a team and had all five starters in double-figures. Higgins and Solarin were the final players in double-figures with 11 points apiece.
 
BYUH entered the night shooting 50% from the floor, which ranked 16th nationally, and finished with a 45% clip. Justin Yamzon came off the bench to lead the Seasiders with a season-high 17 points (5-7 3FG) and Daniel Berger flirted with a triple-double of 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
 
The Seasiders outscored FPU 44-0 in bench points, 46-28 in points in the paint and won the rebounding battle 42-31. BYUH grabbed 16 offensive boards that created 17 second-chance points.
 
FPU is back in action this Saturday against Hawaii Hilo. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 at the FPU Events Center.