HILO, Hawai'i – The Fresno Pacific men's basketball team couldn't overcome a sluggish first half on Monday night, as the Sunbirds fell at Hawai'i Hilo 72-57 in PacWest action at UHH Gymnasium.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Hawai'i Hilo 72, Fresno Pacific 57
Records: UHH (3-3, 1-2 PacWest), FPU (2-4, 1-2 PacWest)
Location: Hilo, Hawai'i | UHH Gymnasium
Series: FPU leads 2-2
 
QUOTABLE:
• "We were ill-prepared tonight, and that responsibility rests solely on me. We failed to respond correctly to a hostile environment, a very physical style of play, and that work needed to be completed in practice long ago. Toby Christensen was an absolute stud tonight for us, and didn't flinch. Turnovers, missed free throws, a poor shooting night, and Hilo's pressure really disrupted us, and we have to get better quickly to compete against that style of play."- head coach C.J. Haydock
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds came out strong and ran to a 6-3 lead in the opening minutes of the game. UHH responded with a stifling defensive effort the rest of the half, however, as FPU was held to 28 percent shooting. The 'Birds trailed 29-22 at the half.
• A layup from Elijah Hill and a jumper from Nate Kendricks to open the second half cut the deficit to 29-26, but Hilo answered with a 12-5 run.
• The Sunbirds never found a rhythm offensively the rest of the way as UHH held on for the win.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Christensen scored a co-game high 19 points and brought down eight boards for the Sunbirds, while Aamondae Coleman recorded a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
• Elijah Hill added 12 points and three boards for FPU.
• The 'Birds committed a season-high 21 turnovers and closed the night with a season-worst .373 shooting percentage.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The 22 first-half points from FPU proved to be a season low for a half.
• Coleman now has two double-doubles on the season.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds will take the rest of the week off before hosting West Coast Baptist on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.