SAN FRANCISCO – The Fresno Pacific University women's basketball team took on host San Francisco State at the SF Gator Invitational on Friday afternoon. Bre Hurt was in the starting lineup and led the Sunbirds with 17 points on an 8-for-14 shooting performance as the team held on for an impressive 67-64 win over the Gators. 

QUOTABLE 

"We are excited to get the win but know we have a lot of work to do to get where we want to be. We will keep searching and fighting to grow individually and collectively. We believe strongly that a great version of our team is right on the other side of a bit harder work and a bit more togetherness. Bre and Lydia were both fantastic for us tonight. Exciting to have our freshman carry us for stretches. Happy to get back on the court tomorrow and find a little bit more out about our group. It's a great challenge for us to have to dive right into another film and another scout for preparation of a tough Monterey Bay team." – head coach Tim Beauregard. 

 HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Gators took advantage of being on their home court early, as the erupted to a 12-3 lead after 2:53 of play.
• It didn't take long for the Sunbirds to answer, as they used an 11-1 run to take a 14-13 lead with 2:51 to play in the first quarter.
• FPU trailed SFS 18-16 after one quarter.
• The Gators took a 28-21 lead with 5:50 to play in the first half.
• Rachel Berry started a 10-6 run with a tough layup through contact, as the Sunbirds trialed by one at halftime. 
• FPU came out of halftime with a run, as a free throw from Megan Sheret put them up 40-36.
• The Sunbird defense locked in during the third quarter, holding the Gators to a 26.3 shooting percentage (5-for-19) from the field with no three-pointers made.
• Hurt's jumper to end the third quarter put the Sunbirds up 50-46.
• Felicia Dourva knocked down a three-pointer that put the Birds up 63-54 with 3:33 left to play. 
• SFSU stormed back, but it wouldn't be enough as FPU held on for a 67-64 win.  

STATS FROM THE GAME

• Hurt added six rebounds to her stellar offensive performance for the Sunbirds. 
• FPU's bench supplied 23 points, as Lydia Manu led the group with 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
• Berry was great on the boards, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds as Sara Lundqvist was one off with nine
• 10 different Sunbirds scored on Friday. 

BEYOND THE BOX

• Hurt scored a career-high 17 points against the Gators. 
• The Sunbirds picked up a win on Coach Beauregard's birthday. 

WHAT'S NEXT

• The Blue and Orange take on CSU Monterey Bay on Saturday at 1 p.m. in their final game of the SF Gator Invitational. 

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