FRESNO, Calif. – After a week off the Sunbirds hosted No.17 Azusa Pacific in the Special Events Center. Fresno Pacific outscored Azusa in the first half and despite falling behind at the end the third quarter they managed to outscore the Cougars in the fourth. For the first time since 2009 the Sunbirds took down the Cougars.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 71, No. 17 Azusa Pacific 66
Records: FPU (5-3, 3-0 PacWest), APU (7-2, 2-2 PacWest)
Location: Special Events Center | Fresno, Calif.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The 'Birds scored the first four-points of the game as Ashley Cross and Bayli McClard scored on back-to-back possessions. FPU went on a seven-point run and increased their lead to seven as Sara Lundqvist drained a three-pointer from the corner. Felicia Dourva ended the first quarter with a layup and a Sunbird  
• Cross started out the second quarter by knocking down two free-throws. With under four-minutes left to play the 'Birds went on an eight-point run as Cassie Pisik drained a three from Kate McClard. FPU got their largest lead of the half as Jessica Malazarte knocked down two free-throws to extend it to 11-points.  
• The 'Birds brought their momentum from the first half into the third quarter as Pisik and Dourva hit back-to-back shots to give FPU a 12-point lead. APU fought back and managed to swing the lead to their favor as the Cougars closed out the third quarter with a two-point lead.
•  APU took a seven-point lead over FPU before Ashley Cross and Jessica Malazarte combined for seven-points and tied the game up at 54. The 'Birds and Cougars were back and forth for the last five minutes of the game. FPU went on a five-point run to close out the game and secure the win.
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Jessica Malazarte lead all scorers with 19 points while adding five rebounds and three steals.  
• Three other Sunbirds scored in the double-digits: Cassie Pisik (17), Ashley Cross (16) and Felicia Dourva (12).
• As a unit the 'Birds pulled down 41 rebounds compared to the Cougars 31. FPU also collected eight steals in the match up.
• FPU was 25.8% from behind the arc compared to APU who shot 16.7%.  

SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• Fresno will travel down south to take on Concordia Thursday, December 19^th at 5:30 p.m.