BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific University women's basketball team was tripped up on Saturday afternoon, falling 84-61 in an exhibition against NCAA Division-I CSU Bakersfield.  

"We weren't prepared for their second quarter, but I'm happy that our girls kept fighting," head coach Tim Beauregard said. "We have yet to put together a full 40 minutes, but if we can do our job from start to finish, things will start to go our way."
 
The Runners controlled the tip and opened the game on a 5-0 run before an Ashley Cross layup put the Sunbirds on the board. CSUB shot better than 47% from the floor to carry a 44-23 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
 
The Sunbirds matched their hosts bucket for bucket in the second half, turning in their most productive stanza of the game with a 23-point fourth quarter. FPU spread the ball around well for the final twenty minutes, as six different players scored and eight Sunbirds recorded a rebound.
 
Bree Alvarez scored all 11 of her points in the second half, while Ashley Cross led all scorers with 20 points on the afternoon. Alex Green chipped in 11 points of her own, while Viviana Vasquez matched Cross' team-high six rebounds.
 
The Blue and Orange return to action next Saturday, when they head to Riverside for a PacWest Conference battle with 10th-ranked California Baptist. Tipoff from Van Dyne Gym is set for 5:00 p.m.
 
"CBU is a good team that will provide a challenge. With a week off to prepare, we will remain focused on capitalizing on our strengths," Beauregard said. "I'm excited to see if our team can lock in from the beginning."