FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team was tripped up on Saturday afternoon, falling 80-57 to Azusa Pacific at the Special Events Center. Despite the loss, senior forward Julia Locastro tallied a career-best seven blocks to total 13 for the week. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: APU 80, FPU 57
Records: FPU (15-8, 11-6 PacWest), APU (19-4, 16-1)
Location: Special Events Center | Fresno, Calif.      
Series: APU leads 48-27
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds struggled to find the stroke in the early going, connecting on just four of their first 19 shot attempts from the floor.   
• The Cougars, on the other hand, started in a rhythm that helped set the tone, hitting on 53% from the floor in the first quarter. 
• Ashley Cross and Bree Alvarez combined for 17 first half points, while Locastro racked up six of her blocks in the game's first 20 minutes.  
• Azusa Pacific never took the foot off the gas in the second half, pulling away for the 23-point victory.   
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Alvarez and Cross wrapped up the evening with a total of 27 points, while Locastro hauled in a team-high 12 rebounds.
• Four Cougars got into double-figures, led by Savannah Hanson's game-high 21 points.    
• APU outrebounded their hosts 56-48, but FPU won the turnover battle by a tally of 17-12.     
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Locastro has tallied six blocks in a game four times this season, including both games this week.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds are back in action on Thursday, when they host Biola at the Special Events Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.