IRVINE, Calif. – Hoping to extend their win streak to four in PacWest play the Sunbirds traveled down to Irvine to take on Concordia. The Sunbirds unfortunately were not able to take down the Eagles on the road as they fell 69-81, despite 24-points from Ashley Cross and Cassie Pisik recording her 20^th career double-double.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 68, Concordia 81
Records: FPU (5-4, 3-1 PacWest), CUI (4-3, 2-0 PacWest)
Location: CUI Arena | Irvine, Calif.
 
"We knew we had to travel our intensity and defense for tonight and we simply did not. We lose the first quarter because of a lack of grittiness and when we finally dug-in we were too far behind. We won three quarters of the game, but the first quarter unlocked their confidence and made it tough for us to play loose. It's a great lesson and we hope we don't have to keep learning them," said head coach Tim Beauregard.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Concordia got off to a quick start as they took a 10-point lead to start the first three minutes of the game. The Eagles managed to keep their momentum throughout the quarter as they outscored FPU 26-11.
• FPU started to chip away at CUI's lead with just over four-minutes left to play in the second quarter as Felicia Dourva laid in back-to-back layups and converted on three-point play opportunity to give the 'Birds a burst of energy. Fresno closed the gap to eight-points to close out the first half.   
• Ashley Cross scored on back-to-back possessions for the Sunbirds to bring them within four-points of the Eagles to start the third quarter. CUI managed to keep their four-point lead over FPU to close out the third quarter.
•  With just over two-minutes left to play the Eagles managed to pull away from the Sunbirds and extend their lead to 12-points as they went on an eight-point run.  
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Ashley Cross lead all scorers with 24-points while adding nine rebounds and two assists.  
• Three other Sunbirds managed to score in the double digits including Cassie Pisik who recorded her 20^th career double-double with 13-points and 11 rebounds.
• Jessica Malazarte added 14-points and four assists while Felicia Dourva contributed 13-points and five rebounds.  
• FPU shot 33.3% from the field with their highest percentage of 50% in the second quarter.   

SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• Fresno will take on Biola on Saturday, December 21^st at 1:30 p.m. in the Chase Gymnasium.