SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team cruised to a 90-72 victory on Saturday afternoon, defeating Dominican on the road. The Sunbirds saw four players score in double-figures and two record double-doubles in the win and have now won 17 games in a season for the first time since 2006-07.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: FPU 90, Dominican 72 
Records: FPU (17-8, 13-6 PacWest), Dominican (19-4, 16-3)
Location: Conlan Center | San Rafael, Calif.     
Series: FPU leads 16-8
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds jumped out to an early lead, and a nifty pass from Jessica Malazarte paved the way for Bree Alvarez to knock down a three at the horn to give FPU a 10-point lead at the end of the first.  
• Led by PacWest Player of the Year frontrunner Natalie Diaz, Dominican turned in a strong second quarter to cut the deficit to four heading to the break.
• FPU shared the wealth to expand the lead in the third quarter, and Diaz fouled out early in the fourth to help give FPU control of the floor the rest of the way.     
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Malazarte turned in a team-high 24 points, while Rachel Berry poured in 15 off the Sunbird bench.
• Cross and Pisik each turned in a double-double, combining for 30 points and 21 rebounds.  
• FPU outrebounded their hosts 54-41 while winning the turnover battle by a margin of 14-12.
• Diaz led all scorers with 28 points, including a 9-of-22 effort from the floor and a 9-of-15 performance at the charity stripe. 
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Saturday marked the first time this season that FPU has had multiple players record a double-double in the same game.
• Diaz was honored after the game as the all-time scoring leader in Dominican history.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• FPU is back in action on Thursday, when they head south to open the final road trip of the regular season with a visit to Concordia. Tipoff from is Irvine is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.