FRESNO, Calif. – Following a stretch of three games in six days, the Fresno Pacific women's basketball team is focused on its' lone contest this week, a home battle against Azusa Pacific. In Azusa on Jan. 24, the Sunbirds knocked down a buzzer-beater that would've handed the Cougars their first conference loss, but the officials determined the shot was too late, and APU survived the scare.
 
Schedule
Game 23 
Saturday, February 9
vs. #25 Azusa Pacific • 2:30 p.m.
Fresno, Calif. •  Special Events Center
Live Stats • Video
 
Quotable:
"Any chance you get to play one of the top teams in the league is an amazing opportunity. Year after year, APU is a perennial powerhouse, but we are looking forward to this week of preparation and the task we have at hand. More than anything else, we are striving to be playing our best basketball during this stretch of the season." – head coach Tim Beauregard
 
About the Sunbirds (15-7, 11-5 PacWest)
The Blue and Orange went 2-1 last week, clinching their first ever berth in the PacWest Conference Tournament on Monday evening. Jessica Malazarte led all scorers against the Argonauts, while Bree Alvarez and Cassie Pisik combined for 25 points. Julia Locastro provided the Sunbirds with a strong defensive effort, racking up a career-high six blocks and hauling in a team-best nine boards. The Sunbirds come into play this week with a 9-2 record at the Special Events Center, including a 6-2 mark in league play.
 
Leaderboard

• Scoring: Bree Alvarez, 16.1 PPG
• Rebounds: Cassie Pisik, 9.2 RPG
• Assists: Jessica Malazarte, 3.9 APG
• Blocks: Julia Locastro, 53
• Steals: Ashley Cross, 53
• FG%: Julia Locastro, 46.2%
• Three-Pointers: Bree Alvarez, 58

 
About the Cougars (18-4, 15-1 PacWest)
APU was finally handed their first league loss last Wednesday after winning its' 14 previous games, but the Cougars bounced back with a 15-point road win on Saturday. Hanson sisters Savanna and Daylee led the way for the Brick and Black, combining for 40 points, 12 rebounds and six steals in the victory over Hawai'i Hilo. Laura Pranger was tabbed as the PacWest Defender of the Week on Monday afternoon after racking up nine steals and six blocks on APU's visit to the islands. As a team, the Cougars have collected more rebounds than anybody in the league, averaging 44.1 per game so far.
 
APU's one-point victory a few weeks ago gave them a 47-27 lead in the all-time series, extending the Cougars' current win streak against the Sunbirds to 17. FPU's last win against APU came in Fresno in 2009. 
 
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