DAVIS, Calif. – Fresno Pacific took on the toughest opponent it will see this season in an exhibition with reigning Big West champion UC Davis on Wednesday, as the Sunbirds fell to the Aggies 76-46. FPU forced 22 UC Davis turnovers but couldn't overcome a 25 percent shooting night from the floor in the setback.
 
Senior guard Roger Paul and junior guard Spencer Krannitz led FPU with 10 points apiece. Paul pulled down five rebounds and nailed two threes, while Krannitz added six rebounds and three steals. Senior guards Madison Higgins and Gabe Solarin added nine points apiece. Solarin totaled a game-high seven rebounds and added two blocks.
 
For UC Davis (2-1), Josh Fox scored a game-high 21 points and Siler Schnedier added 13 points. Lawrence White was the final Aggie in double-figures with 11 points.

"Tonight was a good opportunity to play a good team," said head coach Tim Kisner. "We really struggled shooting the ball and we need to a better job of sharing it offensively. It was a good learning experience for our guys tonight."

FPU led 12-10 with 13:27 to play in the opening half before the Aggies used a 20-4 run to take their largest lead of the half, 32-16. The Sunbirds trailed 37-24 at the intermission.
 
The Sunbirds came out of halftime and cut the deficit to 11, 41-30, following a Krannitz three at the 16:37 mark, but wouldn't come any closer the rest of the night. FPU was held to 19 percent shooting in the second half to erase any thought of a comeback.
 
FPU was out-rebounded 46-34 on the evening, despite the Sunbirds grabbing 12 offensive rebounds. FPU won the turnover battle 22-20 and scored 13 points off turnovers. The Sunbirds recorded 13 steals and received 25 points off the bench.

Since 2007 the Sunbirds are 2-13 in exhibitions with NCAA Division I programs, with wins over USC (2007) and San Francisco (2008). FPU also took on a Big West opponent last season in a 81-46 defeat to Long Beach State.

The Aggies now hold a 10-3 all-time series advantage over the Sunbirds. Prior to tonight's matchup, FPU won the last meeting between the two schools in 1992-93 when UC Davis was a member of Division II.

FPU is back in action on Friday in another exhibition against a Division I opponent CSU Bakersfield. Tip-off at the Icardo Center is scheduled for noon.