FRESNO, Calif. - Madison Higgins scored a game-high 19 points and Spencer Krannitz recorded a double-double to power Fresno Pacific over Cal Maritime, 87-64, on Saturday night in its homer opener at the FPU Events Center. The Sunbirds shot 54 percent from the floor and dished out 27 assists as a team in the win.

FPU improves to 2-1 overall with the victory. The game counted as an exhibition for the Keelhaulers who remain at 5-2 overall.

Higgins scored his game-high 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting with three long balls, while Krannitz recorded the first double-double of the year for the Sunbirds with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Roger Paul added 15 points (10-12 FT) and six assists, Andreas Bigum had 12 points and seven rebounds and freshman Kiree Hutchings scored seven points and dished out nine assists.

"We were excited to play at home after being on the road to start the season," said head coach Tim Kisner. "I thought we came out with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and played hard with consistency. We made it a point of emphasis to share the ball since our game at Davis, and today we did a really good job of that. That's the type of team we have to be to have success."

FPU used a 11-4 run in the last five minutes of the first half to take control of the game. The Sunbirds carried the momentum into the second half and earned its largest lead of the evening of 24 with 6:37 remaining, 77-53.

"We were able to get consecutive stops and really get out and run," noted Kisner about the stretch to give FPU the advantage. "We are doing a nice job of getting out and running in transition. We still need to do a better job of executing on offense, but overall I was proud of our effort."

FPU out-scored the Keelhaulers 18-0 in fast-break points. The Sunbirds forced 19 turnovers and held CMA to 35 percent shooting.

Daniel Radford led Cal Maritime with 18 points.

The Sunbirds are back in action at home on Saturday, Nov. 28 against Stanislaus State at 7 p.m.