OAKLAND, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific University men's basketball team opened the Holy Names Classic against UC Merced on Friday afternoon. The Sunbirds shot nearly 50 percent from the field on their way to a 75-58 over the Bobcats.  
 
 QUOTABLE 
"Got contributions from a lot of guys tonight, and we had some really crisp stretches. We have lots to tighten up fundamentally and will keep chasing individual and collective growth." – head coach C.J. Haydock. 
  
 HOW IT HAPPENED

• A jumper from Spencer Heimerdinger put the Sunbirds up 7-2 3:23 seconds into the first half.
• The Birds extended their lead to 11 when Marten Maide sank a three-pointer with 9:37 to go in the first half.
• The Bobcats stormed back to cut the lead to 26-23 with 3:54 to go in the first half. 
• Nate Kendricks splashed back-to-back three-pointers to close out a 9-1 run that put the Sunbirds up 36-24 at halftime. 
• FPU started the second half strong, as a layup from Sean Nealon-Lino put them up 51-34. 
• With eight minutes remaining, Darrin Person Jr. knocked down a shot that put the Birds up 18. 
• The Sunbirds maintained their lead down the stretch and took it 75-58.

STATS FROM THE GAME

• Kendricks led everyone with 14 points, going 5-for-7 from the field while making three three-pointers.  
• Jelani Watson-Gayle scored 13 points while pulling down a team-high seven rebounds.
• Heimerdinger finished in double-figures, scoring 12 points while going 2-for-3 from three-point range.
• The FPU bench supplied 32 points and was led by Person Jr. who scored nine points with four rebounds in two assists in 11 minutes. 

WHAT'S NEXT

• The Blue and Orange take on CSU Dominguez Hills on Saturday at noon in their final game of the Holy Names Classic. 

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