SAN DIEGO – Fresno Pacific fell to the PacWest's leading defensive team Point Loma 73-62 Friday night on the road at Golden Gymnasium. PLNU held the Sunbirds to 40% shooting and 11% from three to sweep the season series with the Sunbirds.

FPU falls to 7-14 overall and 3-11 in the PacWest with the defeat, while Point Loma improves to 17-5 overall and 10-5 in conference play.

"I thought our guys played very hard against a skilled, tough basketball team in Point Loma," said head coach Shane Rinner. "It's tough to win a game when you shoot 2-of-17 from three and allow 19 offensive rebounds. We cut into their lead in the second half on multiple occasions, but we made costly turnovers in those key situations that didn't allow us to get back into the game."

Madison Higgins and Roger Paul led the Sunbirds with 14 points apiece. Trevon Clayton recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Bobby Barnes finished with 10 points as the final Sunbird in double figures.

Both teams struggled offensively in the opening half before the Sea Lions used a 14-7 run in the final six minutes to earn a 10-point advantage at halftime, 33-23. Higgins brought FPU to within three at 19-16 following a three-point play with 6:21 to go in the half before the PLNU run. The Sunbirds were held to 38% shooting in the half.

The Sunbirds cut the PLNU lead to nine on five different occasions in the second half, the final coming with 2:03 remaining, but wouldn't come any closer. The Sea Lions led as many as 16 in the game.

FPU was out-rebounded 44-31 in the game and outscored 26-12 in bench points. The Sea Lions stole 19 offensive rebounds and scored 38 points in the paint.

Hayden Lescault led Point Loma with a season-high 22 points. Junior Morgan added 11 points and nine rebounds.

The Sunbirds continue their road trip tomorrow as they take on St. Katherine's at 3 p.m. in Encinitas.