SAN RAFAEL, Calif.  – The Fresno Pacific University women's basketball team was unable to slow an offensive surge in Thursday night's second half, falling 73-56 to Dominican in the final road game of the season.  
 
The Penguins controlled the opening tip, but it was FPU's Hannah Ramirez that sank a three at the other end of the floor to provide the game's first basket. Playing without leading scorer Bree Alvarez, the Blue and Orange led by as many as 10 in the first half before Dominican cut the deficit to five heading into the locker room at intermission.
 
Dominican clicked to begin the second half, turning FPU's first possession into a steal and successful fast break layup. The third quarter saw the home team go on a 26-6 run, and the Sunbirds were never able to recover.
 
Individually, Ramirez finished with 10 points, and Abrina Salas (12 points) scored in double-figures for the second time in her last three games. Viviana Vasquez collected a team-high seven rebounds, and four different Sunbirds came away with a block.
 
Natalie Diaz was one of two Penguins to record a double-double on Thursday, matching PacWest Player of the Year frontrunner Sandra Ikeora for a game-best 22 points. The two also combined for 27 rebounds to help Dominican control the boards by a margin of 43-39.
 
Fresno Pacific will return to action on Saturday, when they take on Notre Dame de Namur in the season finale at the Special Events Center. Tipoff is slated for 2:30 p.m., with the Sunbirds celebrating their four seniors (Ramirez, Salas, Alex Green, and Kaysha Fox) after the game.