FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team picked up their second victory in three days on Monday evening, defeating Holy Names 83-72 at the Special Events Center. The Sunbirds have now swept the season series against the Hawks in back-to-back seasons.
 
QUOTABLE:
"48 hours ago, we put together one of our best games, and we came out flat today. We missed a lot of shots tonight, but we know our offense is eventually going to get in a rhythm. We've challenged the girls to come back from the break and be the best people they can be on and off the court. We have a little bit of momentum, but there is a lot that we can improve upon. The goal is to come back collectively and play the type of basketball we know we are capable of."  – head coach Tim Beauregard
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 83, Holy Names 72
Records: FPU (5-8, 3-2 PacWest), Holy Names (1-12, 0-5 PacWest)
Location: Special Events Center | Fresno, Calif.  
All-Time Series: FPU leads 21-7
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Hawks controlled the opening tip, and Kaleigh Taylor came away with the first basket of the night.
• The two teams went back-and-forth for the bulk of the first half, and the scoreboard read a 30-30 tie heading into the intermission.
• Bree Alvarez led the charge in the third quarter, connecting on 4-of-6 from the floor to tally 13 points for the period and give FPU a 10-point lead.
• Holy Names was forced to play the foul game down the stretch, allowing FPU to pick up their second consecutive league victory.  
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Alvarez finished her night with a season-high 26 points, just three short of her career-best. Her five threes is tied with Landynn Munster for the most by any Sunbird in a game this season.
• Four other Sunbirds scored in double-figures, highlighted by Cassie Pisik's 14-point effort.
• For HNU, Taylor recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Ariana Hernandez' 17 points led the Hawks offensively.  
• The Hawks outrebounded their hosts 45-35, while FPU won the turnover battle 19-9.
• Fresno Pacific shot 45% from the floor and a season-best 95% from the charity stripe.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds have now won the turnover battle in four of their first five league games.
• Pisik has led the team in rebounds on five occasions this season, more than any other player.  
• The Sunbirds have seen four players score in double-figures on six occasions, and they are now 4-2 in those games.
• Monday was the first time this season that five Sunbirds scored in double-figures.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds return to action on Saturday, Dec. 30, when they host Academy of Art in search of their third consecutive PacWest Conference victory. Tipoff from the Special Events Center is slated for 2:30 p.m.