FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Pacific fell to #5 California Baptist 85-70 on Monday night in PacWest action at the Special Events Center. The Sunbirds forced a season-best 21 turnovers and played the Lancers to a tight first half, but CBU proved too much to handle in the end.
 
The Sunbirds had their two-game winning streak snapped with the loss and fall to 4-14 overall and 4-7 in the PacWest. CBU improves to 18-1 overall and 10-1 in league play with the win, which also marked its 10th-straight victory.
 
Spencer Krannitz led the Sunbirds with 17 points, two rebounds and two blocks, while T.J. Viney added 14 points and two assists. Rafail Eleftheriou chipped in with 13 points off the bench and Mike Crawley totaled six points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.
 
The Sunbirds came out with great energy, sparked by a pair of blocks from Crawley and Krannitz that were converted into layups on the other end of the floor to earn a quick 4-0 lead. After the Lancers answered with a pair of threes, each team exchanged the lead throughout the opening half.
 
FPU trailed 37-31 at halftime before an 11-0 run from CBU to start the second half made the difference. The Lancers would lead by as many as 26 in the second half. The Sunbirds cut the deficit to 15 following a three from Sam Holmes with 2:18 to play, but it was too little too late as the Lancers escaped with the win.
 
The Sunbirds scored 33 points off turnovers and out-scored the Lancers 34-30 in the paint. The Lancers' 21 turnovers were a season-high as well. CBU answered by winning the rebounding battle, 38-22, and capitalized on 17 second-chance points.
 
Michael Smith, the fifth leading scorer in Division II, led CBU with 23 points, while Jason Todd added a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
 
"I thought we really competed with a high degree of toughness and played really hard tonight," said head coach C.J. Haydock. "CBU made some really tough shots, and made a really good run. Spencer and Rafail really gave us a lift tonight. We will rebound quick and get ready to go battle an academy of art team that will be ready to battle."
 
The Sunbirds continue PacWest play at Academy of Art on Wednesday with tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m.