LA MIRADA, Calif. – Looking to bounce back after falling on Thursday night the Sunbirds took on the Biola Eagles on Saturday afternoon in the Chase Gymnasium.  Fresno Pacific played from behind most of the game and despite a big run in the fourth quarter were unable to get past Biola. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 73, Concordia 77
Records: FPU (5-5, 3-2 PacWest), BU (8-3, 4-1PacWest)
Location: Chase Gym | La Mirada, Calif.
 
"We've had to battle through a lot this week and although we did not come out on top, I'm proud that we continued to fight. We will work to figure out how to start games with a bit more energy going forward. We know that for us to reach our goals we have to become able to play for 40-minutes each game. We simply cannot win games that we dig ourselves an early hole, "said head coach Tim Beauregard.
 
"We have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to be excited for as we move forward. I'm unflinching in my belief in this team, and believe we are right where we need to be to achieve the things we want to achieve," continued Beauregard.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Despite scoring the first points of the game the Sunbirds trailed the Eagles for most of the first quarter. Felicia Dourva gave FPU a one-point lead with just over three minutes to play but BU went on four-point run to close out the quarter up by three-points.
• Biola opened up their lead by going on an eight-point run before Landynn Munster knocked down two of three from the charity stripe. BU managed to keep the distance between them and FPU as they close out the first half with a. 12-point lead.
• Fresno chipped away at Biola's lead for most of the third quarter however the Eagles were able to go on a few scoring-runs that allowed them to keep their 12-point lead over the 'Birds. 
•  Halfway through the fourth quarter the Sunbirds went on a seven-point scoring run of their own and got within four-points of the Eagles. With 14-seconds left to play Ashley Cross converted off of an offensive rebound to put the Sunbirds within three, but the Eagles were able to keep their lead and secure the win.
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Senior Cassie Pisik scored a game high of 22 points while adding four rebounds and two steals.  
• Three other Sunbirds managed to score in the double digits as Ashley Cross added 16-points, Jessica Malazarte produced 12-points and Bayli McClard added 10-points.
• The Sunbirds pulled down 31 total rebounds, 13 of which came from the McClard sisters.
• FPU shot 41.8% from the field on the game and 55.56% in the fourth quarter.    

SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• Fresno Pacific will be back in action after the holiday break as they host UC Merced on Monday, December 30^th at 5:00 p.m.