LA MIRADA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team picked up another PacWest Conference victory on Saturday night, defeating longtime rival Biola by a final of 60-57. The Eagles managed to get two looks at tying the game in the waning seconds, but the Sunbirds managed to wrap up the road trip on a high note.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 60, Biola 57   
Records: FPU (13-6, 9-4 PacWest), Biola (8-10, 6-6)
Location: Chase Gymnasium | La Mirada, Calif.    
Series: FPU leads 46-22
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Julia Locastro gave FPU control of the opening tip, but Biola opened the scoring with a layup from Danita Estorga.
• Bree Alvarez gave the Sunbirds their first lead of the game with a triple, as she teamed up with Ashley Cross to provide 13 of FPU's first 15 points.
• Biola shot 47.1% from the floor in the opening quarter, but four FPU players hit from behind the arc to give the Blue and Orange a 23-19 at the end of the period.
• Alvarez connected on her third three of the night with 5:37 to play in the first half and followed with her fourth on FPU's next possession to push the lead to 10.
• The trio of Alvarez, Cross and Jessica Malazarte outscored the Eagles 35-32 through the game's first 20 minutes, and the Sunbirds carried an eight-point lead into the locker room at the break.
• The game slowed down almost immediately in the third quarter, as both teams struggled to find offense for the bulk of the third quarter.
• Tatum Brimley hit from behind the arc late in the fourth to bring the Eagles within three, but two missed threes in the final 10 seconds of the game ended up sinking the home team. 
• Each team scored less points per quarter as the game went on, but the Sunbirds were able to hang on for the victory.
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Cross and Malazarte matched one another with a game-high 17 points, while Alvarez finished her night with 15.    
• Brimley and Danita Estorga were the only Eagles in double-figures, scoring 15 and 10 respectively.
• Cassie Pisik's game-high ten boards helped FPU outrebound their guests 54-43 for the game.
• FPU continued its' trend of knocking down free throws, connecting of 12-of-14 from the charity stripe.  
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds are now 11-0 this season when leading at halftime.
• Dating back to last season, FPU has won back-to-back games in La Mirada for the first time since 2008.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds return to the floor on Wednesday, when they welcome Academy of Art to the Special Events Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.