FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's basketball team was defeated, 99-88, by Dixie State Wednesday in PacWest play at the FPU Events Center.
 
FPU dropped to 14-12 overall and 9-10 in the PacWest. The Sunbirds now sit in a tie for eighth place with one game to play, with the final postseason spot still up for grabs. DSU improves to 17-8 overall and 14-5 in league action.
 
Spencer Krannitz led FPU on the evening with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Madison Higgins added 18 points, Roger Paul scored 15, Gabe Solarin totaled 14 and Oliver Herting amassed 13.
 
"Dixie State is a really good team," said head coach Tim Kisner. "I really thought the difference in the game came down to the 50/50 balls. They won each one and ended up hitting a three, which is a big swing. Our guys played their hearts out and they did what we asked them to do, but sometimes it doesn't go your way."
 
FPU opened the second half with a 13-2 run to jump ahead by five, 50-45, and led again by five, 52-47, with 15:46 remaining. The Red Storm responded with a 13-2 run of their own, however, and took control down the stretch. Dixie State led 43-37 at the half.
 
DSU shot 61.8 percent from the floor in the win and out-rebounded the Sunbirds 39-22. The Red Storm collected 40 points in the paint.
 
Mark Ogden Jr. led DSU with a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Trevor Hill added 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
 
FPU is back in action at home for Senior Day against Dominican on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.