ARCATA, Calif. – Fresno Pacific hit the road for their first official game of the 2019 season as they traveled to the West Region Crossover Classic hosted by Humboldt University. The 'Birds opened up the tournament with Western Washington University on Friday, November 8^th.
 

"We played very poorly in the first half. Everybody has to be more prepared to start the game from coaches to every player. The great thing about this game and what we can keep our heads up about is that we fought until the end. We finally found our flow in the second half and won the final 20 minutes. I believe we will take tonight as a great learning experience and play a much more complete game tomorrow. We feel fortunate to get the chance to play on such a quick turnaround. We will stay tight and enjoy the challenge of playing more of our type of game tomorrow," said head coach Tim Beauregard.
 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 82, Western Washington 86
Records: FPU (0-1), WWU (1-0)
Location: Lumberjack Arena | Arcata, Calif.        

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Vikings controlled the opening tip and got the board first making a three in transition but Kate McClard answered for the ' Birds with a two. FPU only held the lead once in the first quarter and it was quickly taken away from them and WWU would control the rest of the first quarter.
• WWU maintained their lead and added to it in the second quarter and managed to go into halftime up by ten over the Sunbirds.   
• Fresno chipped away in the third quarter and got within seven points as Jessica Malazarte knocked down back-to-back free throws to close out the third quarter. .
• The Sunbirds went on a five-point run with just over six points left in the game to come within five points of the Vikings. With 11 seconds left to play Sara Lundqvist drained a three and made it a two-point game but WWU added two-points off of free throws and that sealed the game.
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Cassie Pisik led all scorers in the season opener with 20 points and added seven for the Sunbirds.
• Jessica Malazarte followed with 17 points of her own, while Ashley Cross and Kate McClard turned in 16 and 10 respectively.
Fresno Pacific outscored Western Washington in the second half, 50-44.
• The Sunbirds scored 24 of their points in the paint and 14 off of turnovers.  
 
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• FPU is back in action on Saturday, November 9^th as they compete in day two of the West Region Cross Over Classic against Seattle Pacific at 5:00 p.m. in the Lumberjack Arena.