FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team picked up a key PacWest victory on Saturday afternoon, defeating Hawai'i Hilo 70-51 at the Special Events Center.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 70, Hawai'i Hilo 51
Records: FPU (8-10, 6-4 PacWest), UHH (4-5, 2-4 PacWest)
Location: Special Events Center | Fresno, Calif.  
All-Time Series: Series tied 3-3
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds scored seven points before the Vulcans got on the board, and a Megan Lee three-pointer capped that 13-4 FPU run that forced UHH into their first timeout of the game.
• FPU kept the hot hand for the duration of the quarter, finishing the opening frame with a 5-of-8 effort from behind the arc and a 24-10 lead.
• The Blue and Orange maintained a strong defensive push, forcing the Vulcans into six first half turnovers.
• Fresno Pacific went to the intermission with a 38-18 advantage, their largest halftime lead of the season.
• Within the first five minutes of the second half, Bree Alvarez matched her first half total of seven points to push the FPU lead to 50-28.
• The Vulcans were able to get in somewhat of an offensive rhythm, shooting 50% from three-point range in the second half to outscore the Sunbirds over the final 20 minutes.
• Hawai'i Hilo was never able to cut their deficit to less than 17 points, giving the Sunbirds their second win in six days.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Alvarez and Cassie Pisik matched one another for a game-high 18 points, while Pisik collected a team-best nine rebounds.
• Jessica Malazarte finished with ten points and five assists, while Ashley Cross and Megan Lee combined for 18 points and 13 rebounds.
• For the Vulcans, Allie Navarette racked up 15 points and four blocks, while Danielle Dacosta's 10 boards were good enough for a game-high.
• Hawai'i Hilo's Safia Sheikh was held to a season-low three points after scoring in double-figures in each of her previous eight games.
• FPU won the battle of the glass, outrebounding their guests 53-39.
• The Sunbirds also committed a season-low nine turnovers while forcing UHH into 11.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds have now won the turnover battle in nine of their first ten league games.
• Saturday marked the fourth time this season that FPU has committed less than ten turnovers as a team.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds return to action on Monday, when they host #18 Azusa Pacific in PacWest Conference action. Tipoff from the Special Events Center is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.