SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific University men's basketball team picked up their first PacWest Conference win of the season against Dominican on Saturday evening, as the Sunbirds created separation in the first half and would go on to take the game 66-60 from the Penguins. 
 
QUOTABLE
"We had good minutes off the bench from Marten Maide, Garrett Cook, and D.J. Searcy tonight. They make a difference on offense for us. I thought Spencer Heimerdinger did a great job steadying us and making plays out of the high post. We were sloppy in stretches and were inconsistent on the defensive side of the ball, and that's got to get tightened up with urgency. We will need a great week of getting tougher and more together to close out our last few games the right way before the Christmas break." – head coach C.J. Haydock
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Heimerdinger capped an 11-2 run to open the game for the Sunbirds. 
• With 8:24 to go in the first half, Nate Kendricks hit a jumper to put the Birds up 25-12.
• Jelani Watson-Gayle's bucket with 3:25 to go in the first half put the Sunbirds up by 14 points. 
• Cook splashed home a 3-pointer as the final bucket of the half for FPU, as the team carried a 36-24 lead into halftime.
• The Sunbirds maintained their lead in the second half, as Cook splashed home another 3-pointer to put the team up 45-33 with 12:38 to go in the game. 
• Maide connected from 3-point range to put the Birds up 57-42 with 5:50 remaining in the game. 
• The Penguins pushed late, but it wasn't enough as the Sunbirds hung on to take the 66-60 victory.  

STATS FROM THE GAME

• Watson-Gayle led everyone with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting as he pulled down four rebounds and two assists. 
• Heimerdinger was efficient, scoring 10 points while going 4-for-5. He added five rebounds and blocked three shots for an outstanding night for the Sunbirds. 
• Darrin Person Jr. was the only other Bird to finish in double digits, scoring 10 points with five rebounds. 
• The FPU bench added 19 points, led by Cook's nine points on three 3-pointers made.

UP NEXT

• The Blue and Orange return to the Special Events Center on Friday, Dec. 17 as they host Chaminade at 4:30 p.m. 

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