CHICO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team opened their season against Chico State in the CCAA/PacWest Challenge on Friday night. A slow start hindered the Sunbirds, as they fell 66-57 to the Wildcats inside Art Acker Gym. 
 
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"It was a fun battle tonight. We knew Chico would be tough and they were exactly that. The first quarter was hard to bounce back from. I was proud of our fight and resolve to make it a game after starting the game shooting so poorly. Although we won the second third and fourth quarters combined, we just couldn't quite dig ourselves out of the hole of that first quarter. Our scorers got many shots that we hope to get them every night, and they just didn't quite fall to start the game. I'm excited to watch our bounce-back game tomorrow. We are resilient." – head coach Tim Beauregard.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Sunbirds shot just 13.3 percent (2-for-15) from the field in the opening quarter, putting themselves in a 24-7 deficient after the first 10 minutes. 
• The Birds closed the gap early in the second quarter, as a layup from Megan Sheret was followed by three-pointers from Anisa Rillo and Sara Lundqvist.
• The 8-0 run cut the Wildcats lead to nine with 5:49 to play in the first half. 
• A late jumper from Chico State gave them a 37-26 lead at halftime. 
• In the third quarter, Vanessa Cochrane and Felicia Dourva hit jumpers to pull within six near the midway point of the period.
• Bre Hurt made a shot with 2:05, as the Sunbirds trailed 60-53 in the closing moments. 
• The Wildcats withstood the Sunbird comeback to take the game 66-57.

STATS FROM THE GAME

• Rachel Berry led the team with 10 points, all of which came from the free-throw line. Berry added five rebounds and two assists to a well-rounded night. 
• Dourva and Hurt each scored eight points and pulled down four rebounds apiece. 
• Rillo led the Birds in rebounds with eight. 
• FPU's bench supplied 26 points. 

UP NEXT

• It'll be a quick turnaround for the Sunbirds, as they'll take on Sonoma State at 1 p.m. in Chico on Saturday. 

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