FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team was tripped up on Monday night, falling 61-56 to Biola at the Special Events Center. The two teams came into the game having already locked up a berth in next week's PacWest Conference Tournament, but Monday's win allowed the Eagles a chance to jump as high the three-seed.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

• Final: Biola 61, FPU 56  
• Records: FPU (15-12, 12-9 PacWest), Biola (18-9, 14-7 PacWest)
• Location: Special Events Center | Fresno, Calif. 
• All-Time Series: FPU leads 47-24

 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Bayli McClard controlled the opening tip, paving the way for Jessica Malazarte to get the Birds off and running with a three-ball.
• Defense prevailed early, as the Blue and Orange took a 23-22 lead into the intermission. 
• FPU turned in the biggest quarter of the night for either squad in the third quarter, but the Eagles outscored the Sunbirds 20-12 in the final stanza to claim the win.   

 
STATS FROM THE GAME: 

• Cassie Pisik recorded her eighth double-double in her last nine games, scoring a team-high 16 points and collecting a game-high 14 rebounds.  
• Malazarte and Sara Lundqvist each gave the Sunbirds 13 points, while Biola's Tatum Brimley led all scorers with 22.
• The Eagles won the turnover battle 17-14, but FPU controlled the glass, outrebounding their guests 38-32.

 
BEYOND THE BOX:

• Pisik's double-double the 30th of her FPU career, and she is currently fourth all-time in that category.
• FPU's last two losses to Biola have come by a combined nine points.  

 
SOCIAL:

• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics

 
UP NEXT:

• The Sunbirds will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, when they host Dominican at 2:30 p.m. at the Special Events Center. FPU will honor the 2020 senior class immediately following the game.