FRESNO, Calif. – Newcomers announced their presence as members of the Fresno Pacific University men's basketball team in their season-opener against CSU East Bay on Friday night. Jelani Watson-Gayle led everyone with 27 points while adding 10 rebounds, leading the Sunbirds to an 83-72 win over the Pioneers inside the Special Events Center. 
 
QUOTABLE
"I was really impressed with our toughness in the second half. Over the first 28 possessions of the second half, we held them to 10 points. We were able to lock in and hold them off the offensive glass in what proved to be a tight defensive performance there. Our newcomers are eager to leave their mark right away. The thing that makes it easy is that they are high-character dudes. I'm impressed and thrilled with their performance, and we'll try and turn around and do it again tomorrow." – head coach C.J. Haydock.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• A Ryan Abbott layup, a pair of free throws from Nate Kendricks, and a three-pointer from Watson-Gayle made up a 7-0 run for the Sunbirds over the first 2:27 of the game. 
• At the 13:37 mark, two more free throws from Kendricks put the Sunbirds led 19-8.
• The Pioneers put together a run that put them up 31-26 with 7:45 left to play in the first half.
• Abbott knocked down a layup to tie the game at 35 with just under five minutes to play in the first half.
• CSU East Bay hit two free throws late to go up 41-39 at halftime. 
• Four minutes into the first half, Watson-Gayle hit back-to-back three-pointers to put the Sunbirds up 54-52.
• The Birds went on a 9-3 run, capped by a three-pointer by Abbott as the team went up 63-55 with just under 10 minutes to play in the game. 
• The offense continued to flow for FPU, as Spencer Heimerdinger drained a three that put the team up 14 points with 2:55 to play.
• The Sunbirds maintained their lead and took the game 83-72.  

STATS FROM THE GAME

• Watson-Gayle led the team in both points and rebounds while adding three assists and two steals to an incredible night. 
• Kendricks scored 18 points and had six rebounds while playing 34 minutes, the most on the team.
• Abbott was efficient, scoring 17 points on a 7-for-9 shooting performance from the field. 
• Heimerdinger was everywhere for FPU, finishing with eight points, six rebounds, and six assists. 
• The Birds shot 47.5 percent (29-for-61) from the field on Friday.
• FPU found the paint, scoring 34 points in the lane, with 16 points coming on the fast break. 
• The Sunbird defense held the Pioneers to 35.7 percent (25-for-70) for the game. 

UP NEXT

• FPU host Stanislaus State tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. inside the Special Events Center. 

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