FRESNO, Calif. - The FPU women's basketball team hosted Northwest Nazarene inside the Special Events Center on Monday afternoon, falling by a final of 78-69. Guards Jessica Malazarte and Rachel Berry each turned in season-high point totals in the loss, combining for 35 points. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:  

• Final: NNU 78, FPU 69
• Records: NNU (1-3), FPU (0-2)
• Location: Special Events Center | Fresno, Calif.   

QUOTABLE:   

• "It was special to have the opportunity to play in our own gym for the first time this season, and we learned a lot and will grow immensely from this game. They forced us into a playing a style that we want to play every night, but we played much too timid and not nearly as loose as we would have liked to. A handful of unforced turnovers and missed offensive opportunities allowed them to stretch the lead in the first quarter, which proved to be the difference. I'm proud of how we battled back, and we plan to be at our best the next time we take the court." – fifth-year head coach Tim Beauregard

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:  

• Northwest Nazarene opened the game with a 7-0 run, which was broken with a Bayli McClard layup. 
• NNU never let their hosts settle into an offensive rhythm in the first quarter, leading by as many as 12.
• Early in the second quarter, Jessica Malazarte hit three consecutive three-pointers that brought the Blue and Orange within four. 
• The Sunbirds' halftime adjustments paid off, and a layup from Megan Sheret tied the game at 51 with 2:36 remaining in the third quarter. 
• The Nighthawks scored eight points in the final 0:52 of the third quarter to quickly push the lead back to 61-53 heading to the final chapter. 
• Rachel Berry led the way for the 'Birds in the fourth, scoring 10 of the team's 16 points over the final ten minutes. 

 
STATS FROM THE GAME:  

• Malazarte scored a team-high 18 points, including four three-pointers, while Berry connected on of 7-of-11 from the floor to finish on her heels with 17.  
• McClard registered a double-double, scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds. 
• Four Nighthawks scored in double-figures, with Erin Jenkins, McKenna Emerson and Jordan Pinson each pouring in 13.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:  

• Monday marked the first meeting for the two teams since the 2013-14 season. 
• FPU committed 17 turnovers, 11 less than NNU's three previous opponents have averaged this season. 

SOCIAL:  

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

 
UP NEXT:  

• The Sunbirds now turn their attention to PacWest Conference action. Stay tuned to FPUAthletics.com for further updates. 

SUNBIRD SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics