BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team opened the season on Friday night, defeating Seattle Pacific 80-69 in the first game of the 2018 Crossover Classic. Sophomore Jessica Malazarte turned in a career-high 32 points in the win, including 21 from behind the arc. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 80, Seattle Pacific 69   
Records: FPU (1-0), SPU (0-1)
Location: Carver Gym | Bellingham, Wash.
Series: SPU leads 7-2
 
HEAD COACH TIM BEAUREGARD 
• On opening the season with a win: "Tonight was all about our team believing in each other and the identity that we are trying to create. The pace at which we want to play is a calculated strategy to utilize the strengths of our team. We had to overcome some stretches where we let SPU dictate the pace, and that is not going to be a recipe for success for us. In the middle quarters, when the game was clearly slipping away from us, it was encouraging to see us dig in and not only battle back, but find a way to start the season on such a high note."
 
• On Malazarte's career night: "After a successful freshman season, it has been incredibly impressive to watch Jess work all summer to sharpen her game. She's the motor of our team, and there's never a moment too big for her. She set the tone for our season and will have the opportunity to lead us all year."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Seattle Pacific controlled the opening tip and came away with the first bucket of the night.
• A short jumper from Ayla Faber gave the Sunbirds their first lead of the season, and the 'Birds ended the first quarter with a 21-17 advantage.
• Jessica Malazarte scored ten points in the second quarter, but the Falcons shared the wealth to carry a 42-37 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
• FPU capped a 12-0 run to end the third with a Malazarte three, and the Blue and Orange carried a 60-52 lead into the final stanza. 
• Both teams went on their runs in the fourth quarter, but the Sunbirds were able to maintain their lead for the duration of the night.
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Malazarte led all scorers with 32 points on a 10-of-18 shooting performance, while adding five rebounds and a team-high five assists.   
• Cassie Pisik and Ashley Cross each went for 13 points, while Bree Alvarez gave the Sunbirds four players in double-figures.
• Cici West turned in the most complete night for SPU, matching Jade Skidmore's team-high ten points while hauling in a game-best nine rebounds.
• Julia LoCastro gave FPU eight boards, including six on the defensive side of the glass, to help Fresno Pacific claim a 42-35 rebounding advantage.
• The Falcons narrowly outshot the Sunbirds from the floor, but FPU's 10-of-27 effort from three-point range bested SPU's 3-of-20.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Friday night marked the first time since 2011 that the Sunbirds earned a victory in the season-opener.  
• Alvarez was the only Sunbird to turn in a 30-point performance last season, and that came in the final week of the regular season.
 
SOCIAL:
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