FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team fell on Saturday afternoon, falling 85-68 to California Baptist in PacWest Conference play.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: California Baptist 85, Fresno Pacific 68
Records: FPU (11-15 9-9 PacWest), CBU (15-11, 12-6 PacWest) 
Location: Fresno, Calif. | Special Events Center    
All-Time Series: FPU leads 44-28
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Lancers controlled the opening tip, and Tori Mitchell opened the afternoon's scoring after a trip to the free throw line.
•  CBU found their offensive rhythm in the second quarter, outscoring the Sunbirds 29-13 to take a 44-28 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
•  Fresno Pacific turned in their best two offensive stretches of the game in the third and fourth quarters, scoring 21 and 19 respectively.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Ashley Cross' 15 points was good enough for a team-high, while Viviana Vasquez and Jessica Malazarte combined for 25.
• Julia LoCastro made her presence felt defensively, racking up three blocks and four defensive rebounds.
• CBU's Emma Merigolli led all scorers with 20 points as one of four Lancers in double figures.
• Tori Mitchell and Blaysen Vernadoe each tallied a double-double while combining for 29 rebounds and 29 points.   
• The Lancers outrebounded their hosts 54-44, but the Sunbirds won the turnover battle 13-10.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds have won the turnover battle in all but three PacWest games this season.
• With the win, CBU extends their winning streak to seven games.
 
UP NEXT:
• FPU wraps up the regular season next week, with the first of two road games coming on Thursday evening against Academy of Art. Tipoff from San Francisco is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.