SAN FRANCISCO – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team picked up a 68-58 victory on Friday evening, defeating San Francisco State in the Gators' Thanksgiving Classic Tournament.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 68, San Francisco State 58
Records: FPU (2-4), SFSU (1-2)
Location: The Swamp | San Francisco  
All-Time Series: FPU leads 3-1
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QUOTABLE:
"This was by far our best game of the season from start to finish. We executed how we wanted, and we ran a lot of different actions defensively. We didn't shoot particularly well, but the way we defended and valued the basketball allowed us an opportunity. San Francisco State is a good team, and I'm proud of our players for the way they fought. We are to glad to get this result, and we will try to build upon it as we move forward." – head coach Tim Beauregard
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Gators controlled the opening tip, but it was FPU's Jessica Malazarte that came away with the first bucket of the night at the other end of the floor.
• Fresno Pacific shot the ball well early, but SFSU used a 10-4 run to cut the Sunbird lead to just two at the end of the first quarter.
• Cassie Pisik connected on a triad of three-pointers in the first half, helping the Blue and Orange to a 30-28 edge at the intermission.
• The Sunbirds put the foot on the gas in the final frame, going on top by as many as 17.
• San Francisco State was able to cut the lead back to single-digits in the final four minutes, but a Malazarte three proved to be the final dagger for the Gators.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Landynn Munster led all scorers with 14 points, while Pisik, Malazarte and Megan Lee also scored in double-figures.
• Jhaina Stephens proved to be a force for the hosting Gators, picking up a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
• FPU's Viviana Vasquez collected a team-best seven rebounds, and four other Sunbirds hauled in five apiece.
• The Sunbirds outrebounded the Gators 48-42 and won the turnover battle by forcing 22 and committing just 16.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds recorded season-bests in rebounds (48), turnovers (16), and fouls (18) on Friday night, all while matching their season-high nine threes.
• Munster has scored 14 three times off the bench this year, and Fresno Pacific has had four players in double-figures on three different occasions.
•  Vasquez became the fourth Sunbird to lead the team in rebounds this season, joining Pisik, Barbara Keomany, and Ashley Cross.  
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds are back at it again on Saturday, when they take on Cal State East Bay in the final game before PacWest Conference play begins. Tipoff from the Swamp is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.