AZUSA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball was eliminated from the PacWest Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon, falling 72-57 at the hands of two-seed Azusa Pacific. Freshman Sara Lundqvist led the way for the Sunbirds with a season-high 18 points. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

• Final: APU 72, FPU 57
• Records: FPU (17-13, 13-9 PacWest), APU (25-4, 18-4)
• Location: Felix Event Center | Azusa, Calif. 
• All-Time Series: APU leads 49-28

 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Cougars found a rhythm early, outscoring the Sunbirds 23-14 in the first quarter.
• FPU hung around in the second quarter, trailing by six as the teams went to the locker room at the intermission.
• After falling behind by as many as 10 in the third quarter, Lundqvist hit back-to-back triples to bring the 'Birds within four. Bayli McClard hit a deep two as the horn sounded, and FPU went to the fourth quarter trailing by just one. 
• Ashley Cross hit a big three with 7:10 left on the clock to tie the game at 55, but APU's Daylee Hanson answered with seven straight points to put the Cougars in front down the stretch.  

 
STATS FROM THE GAME: 

• Cassie Pisik finished her day with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Jessica Malazarte handed out a team-high five assists.
• Hanson led all scorers with 23 points, and her sister Savanna collected a game-high 13 boards to help APU outrebound FPU 56-43.  

 
BEYOND THE BOX:

• Pisik finishes her Sunbird career with 32 double-doubles, the highest total of any player since FPU made the jump to the NCAA.
• The Blue and Orange have made the PacWest Conference Tournament in each of the last two years and are set to host next year's championships. 

 
SOCIAL:

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

 
UP NEXT:

• Among the key returners for FPU next season will be Malazarte and McClard, who were each voted as Third Team All-PacWest selections this season. Lundqvist and fellow Swede Felicia Dourva combined for three conference Freshman of the Week awards, and the Sunbirds will again open the season at the West Region Crossover Classic.