ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team was tripped up on Friday night, falling 88-86 to Dixie State at the buzzer.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Dixie State 88, Fresno Pacific 86
Records: FPU (9-13, 7-7 PacWest), DSU (10-10, 6-7 PacWest)
Location: Burns Arena | St. George, Utah  
All-Time Series: Dixie State leads 7-1
Get Social: Twitter - @fpusunbirds | Instagram - @fpusunbirds | Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Dixie State controlled the opening tip, but Fresno Pacific was able to strike first after an early Trailblazer foul.  
• The Sunbirds shot 53% from the floor as a team in the opening quarter, but the Trailblazers led 26-23 heading to the second.
• Megan Lee poured in 13 first half points for the Sunbirds, but the Trailblazers carried a 45-41 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
• The two teams exchanged buckets for most of the second half, but the Sunbirds buzzer-beater was off the mark, allowing DSU to escape Friday night with an 88-86 victory.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Bree Alvarez led all scorers with 22 points, while Megan Lee provided the 'Birds with 17 points off the bench.
• Jessica Malazarte and Cassie Pisik combined for 27 points, while Ashley Cross' 13 gave FPU five players in double-figures.
• Dixie State's Ashlee Burge turned in a team-high 17 points as one of six Trailblazers in double-figures.
• Viviana Vasquez collected a team-best eight rebounds, but DSU outrebounded their guests 50-37 for the game.
• Both teams connected on just north of 41% of their shots from the floor, while FPU sunk 10-of-23 from behind the arc.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds have forced more turnovers than they have committed in all but three PacWest games this season.  
• Alvarez has now eclipsed 20 points for the third time this season.
 
UP NEXT:
• FPU returns to action next Thursday, when they open their Hawai'i road trip against the Vulcans of Hawai'i Hilo. Tipoff is slated for 5:00 p.m. PST.