BELMONT, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team moved a game closer to earning a berth in the PacWest Conference Tournament on Monday, defeating Notre Dame de Namur 66-56. The Sunbirds have now defeated four different teams twice this season and remain in fourth in the league standings with the win.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 66, Notre Dame de Namur 56
Records: FPU (15-7, 11-5 PacWest), NDNU (4-15, 3-12)
Location: Walter Gleason Gymnasium | Belmont, Calif.    
Series: FPU leads 15-6
 
QUOTABLE: 
"Every game at this point is a big one, and I'm incredibly proud of how our players have bounced back from challenges throughout the year. It says a lot about the character and resolve of our group that we can go through a setback on the road and come back 48 hours later with a gritty defensive showing in a tough environment," head coach Tim Beauregard said. "This win has put all of our goals within reach, but we are not satisfied. We want to have a great season, and we will continuously and relentlessly pursue excellence as we prepare for what we know can be a fruitful final push." 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds hit five of their first seven shots from the floor to take a 14-9 lead, but the hot start faded over the final six minutes of the quarter, allowing NDNU to tie the game at 18 just seconds before the buzzer.  
• Bree Alvarez and Jessica Malazarte combined for all of FPU's points in the second quarter, but the two teams totaled just 21 points in the period, with the Blue and Orange leading by a point at the intermission.   
• FPU came out firing in the second half, hitting their first three triples to settle into an offensive rhythm.
• The 'Birds carried their biggest lead of the night into the fourth quarter, and despite NDNU's consistent efforts to get back in the game, FPU maintained their distance and pulled out the victory.   
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Malazarte finished with a game-high 22 points, while Alvarez and Cassie Pisik poured in 15 and 10 respectively.      
• NDNU outrebounded their guests 40-35, but the Sunbirds once again won the turnover battle by a tally of 17-12.   
• Fresno Pacific hit on nearly 40% of shots from behind the arc, including a 4-of-6 effort from Malazarte.    
• Julia Locastro racked up six blocks for the 'Birds, matching a career-high.     
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds have won 15 games in a season for the first time since 2006-07.  
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds are back home on Saturday, when they host league-leading Azusa in hopes of avenging a one-point loss on Jan. 24. Tipoff from the Special Events Center is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.