AZUSA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball ran with 18th-ranked Azusa Pacific on Wednesday night, but the Cougars were able to hang on for the victory.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Azusa Pacific 88, Fresno Pacific 67
Records: FPU (6-9, 4-3 PacWest), #18 Azusa Pacific (15-2, 6-1)
Location: Felix Event Center | Azusa, Calif.  
All-Time Series: Azusa Pacific leads 43-28
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Azusa Pacific controlled the opening tip, allowing Gabrielle Kaiser to come away with the first bucket of the night.
• Three-pointers were a central part of the game early for the Sunbirds, as Jessica Malazarte connected on a trio of shots from behind the arc in the first quarter.
• Bree Alvarez hit a three to tie the game at 40 late in the first half, and Cassie Pisik followed with a trifecta of her own on the following possession.
• Kaiser converted an and-one for the final score of the half, giving the Cougars a slim 44-43 edge at the intermission.
• APU found their rhythm in the second half, outscoring their guests 44-24 over the game's final 20 minutes.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Malazarte's 16 points highlighted the offensive effort for FPU, while Pisik and Alvarez finished with 12 and 10 respectively.
• Kaiser led all scorers with 24 points as one of four Cougars to score in double-figures.
• APU's Savanna Hanson recorded a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds have now won the turnover battle in six of their first seven league games.
• Ashley Cross collected a team-best five rebounds, ending a streak of four straight games where Pisik led the Sunbirds in that category.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds return to action on Friday, when they wrap up the road trip with a visit to Irvine to take on Concordia. Tipoff from the CU Events Center is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.