FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno Pacific played league-leading Azusa Pacific tough, but the Sunbirds fell just short, 83-67, on Monday night in PacWest play at the Special Events Center.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Azusa Pacific 83, Fresno Pacific 67
Records: FPU (5-14, 3-8 PacWest), APU (12-6, 8-2 PacWest)
Location: Fresno, Calif. | Special Events Center
Series: The Sunbirds trail 77-24
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QUOTABLE:
• "I thought we were solid defensively tonight, and I thought we really competed on that end of the floor and turned them over a little bit. Unfortunately, we had a couple stretches where I thought our youth showed a little, where we took quick shots or didn't win tough rebounds. We still had a chance down the stretch, and we had a segment where we executed well and just didn't make shots we had to have. Against the standard bearer for excellence in our conference, you can't have those spurts. Overall, a good outing for us just without the result we want."- head coach C.J. Haydock
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds jumped out to an early advantage in the opening five minutes, leading 11-6 following a layup from Adrian Antunez.
• Each team exchanged buckets throughout the rest of the half before APU went into the locker room ahead of FPU 39-35.
• Back-to-back threes from Toby Christensen gave the Sunbirds a spark to open the second half, but APU responded each time FPU came knocking on the door.
• The difference in the game came at the 13:03 mark, as the Cougars used a 10-2 run the next six minutes to take control and hold on the rest of the way.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Antunez led FPU with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting the setback. The freshman added two rebounds, two assists, one block and four steals.
• Christensen added a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, while adding a trio of threes and four assists, Jake Straughan scored 11 points and Elijah Hill totaled seven points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals for FPU.
• The Sunbirds were limited to 36 percent shooting on the night and committed 19 turnovers.
• APU received 21 points and five threes from Darien McClain, while Corey Langerveld and Petar Kutlesic each added double-doubles.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Christensen picked up his second double-double of the season in the setback.
• Antunez has scored at least 17 points in three straight games.
• Two of FPU's three worst shooting nights of the season have come against the league's best defensive team (APU).
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds continue PacWest play on Thursday against Chaminade at 7:30 p.m. at the Special Events Center.