FRESNO, CALIF. – Looking for their third win in a row the 'Birds hosted the Eagles of Concordia on Monday night in the Special Events Center. FPU and CUI were tied going into halftime and Fresno managed to take the lead to end the third, but Concordia managed to outscore the 'Birds in the fourth to come away with the win.  
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 79, Concordia 84
Records: FPU (8-8, 5-5 PacWest), CUI (7-5, 5-2 PacWest)
Location: Special Events Center | Fresno, Calif.   
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The first quarter was back-and-forth for the full duration of play but the 'Birds took a two-point lead as Bayli McClard drained a jumper to end the quarter.
• FPU managed to keep CUI as least a bucket behind them for most of the second quarter, however a late push by the Eagles with just under three minutes left to play allowed Concordia to take the lead. Jessica Malazarte tied things up at 40-40 as she sunk a jumper in the middle of the key before the clock ran out.  
• Fresno kept their momentum into the third quarter as Felicia Dourva and Ashley Cross knocked down back-to-back buckets to give the 'Birds a six-point lead with six and a half minutes left in the quarter. FPU closed out the third quarter with a five-point lead as Cassie Pisik went one for two from the free throw line.  
• CUI went on an 11-point run to swing the lead in their favor and put Fresno down by seven. The 'Birds chipped away at the Eagles lead and were able to regain it as Ashley Cross made one of two from the charity stripe but CUI would quickly take the lead back and control it the remaining 25 seconds of play.
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Jessica Malazarte had a team high of 22 points 18 of which came in the first half.
• Senior Cassie Pisik picked up her 22^nd career double-double as she had 20-points and 10 rebounds.
• Ashley Cross and Bayli McClard each added 13-points for the 'Birds. Cross pulled down seven boards and added two steals while McClard grabbed six reobunds.   
• FPU shot 45.5% from the field and 33.3 from behind the arc, but the game was all about free throws as the 'Birds were 14-18 while the Eagles were 18-20 from the charity stripe.

SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• Fresno Pacific continues their home stand as they host Hawai'I Hilo on Saturday, January 18^th at 2:30p.m. in the Special Events Center