SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's basketball team hit the court for the first time in the 2017-18 season on Saturday, as the Sunbirds faced UC Santa Barbara in an exhibition. The Sunbirds hung tough and shot 44 percent from the floor, but couldn't keep up with the athletic Gauchos to fall 92-69.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: UC Santa Barbara 92, Fresno Pacific 69
Records: FPU (0-0), UCSB (0-0)
Location:  Santa Barbara, Calif. | The Thunderdome
Series: The Sunbirds trail 3-0 against the Gauchos
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QUOTABLE:
• "I thought we were really solid in stretches today. We had a couple of really crisp offensive possessions and stretches, had some really solid defensive moments, shot it well and did a good job on the glass collectively. Our sloppiness with the ball really hurt us, as our turnovers almost all were converted to easy points. This is a good chance to clean some things up, tighten up on offense, and prepare for a really challenging opening weekend at Western Oregon." – head coach C.J. Haydock
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds came out firing early, as Tyler Harris opened the game with a three to give FPU a lead. Five minutes later, Jake Straughan found the bottom of the net with a trey to tie the game at 11-11 with 15:23 to play in the opening half.
• With the score knotted at 15 apiece, the Gauchos were finally able to break away after a 10-0 run.
• FPU trailed 46-29 at the intermission before UCSB finished off the victory by shooting 62 percent from the floor in the second half.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Straughan led the Sunbirds with 18 points, as the newcomer drained five threes. Harris finished with 15 points (9-9 FT), while Sam Burt amassed 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. Freshman Adrian Antunez added nine points, six rebounds and two assists for the 'Birds,
• FPU finished 20-of-45 from the floor for a 44.4 percent clip, while the Gauchos countered at 56.7 percent.
• The Sunbirds committed 25 turnovers, however, which turned into 24 points for UCSB.
• Max Heidegger scored a game-high 26 points for the Gauchos.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Since 2007 the Sunbirds are 2-18 in exhibitions with NCAA Division I programs, with wins over USC (2007) and San Francisco (2008).
 
UP NEXT:
• FPU begins the regular season on Friday, Nov. 10 at the West Region Crossover Classic in Oregon. The Sunbirds face St. Martin's at 5 p.m.