AZUSA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball saw a three-game win streak come to an end on Thursday night, falling 72-70 to rival Azusa Pacific on the road. Senior
Cassie Pisik turned in her sixth straight double-double, turning in a game-high 17 points and 13 rebounds.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
- Final: APU 72, FPU 70
- Records: FPU (13-11, 10-8 PacWest), APU (19-4, 13-4)
- Location: Felix Event Center | Azusa, Calif.
- All-Time Series: APU leads 49-28
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The two teams went back and forth for the first quarter before the Sunbirds carried a nine-point lead into the intermission.
- The Cougars cut their deficit to one heading to the fourth quarter before regaining the lead on their first possession of the final stanza.
- APU seemed ready to pull away, but FPU stayed within striking distance until the 2:17 mark, when Jessica Malazarte hit back-to-back free throws to bring the Blue and Orange within three.
- Malazarte hit a triple on the following possession to tie the game before again knocking down a pair of big free throws to give FPU a two-point lead with :33 to play.
- A Savanna Hanson layup put the Brick and Black back in front with 13 seconds left, and Malazarte was fouled six seconds later.
- She hit her first free throw to tie the game but missed the second, and Laura Pranger connected on a jumper at the other end to give the Cougars the narrow win.
STATS FROM THE GAME:
- Malazarte finished with 15 points, while Bayli McClard and reigning PacWest Freshman of the Week Felicia Dourva went for 11 and 10 respectively.
- APU outrebounded their guests 52-47 and won the turnover battle by a margin of 18-11.
BEYOND THE BOX:
- APU has now won 11 of 12 since the calendar flipped to 2020.
- In their last two trips to Azusa, the Sunbirds have lost by a combined three points.
SOCIAL:
UP NEXT:
- Fresno Pacific wraps up the final road trip of the regular season on Saturday, when they take on Point Loma. Tipoff from San Diego is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
#TeamFPU
