LA MIRADA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team opened up PacWest Conference play on Thursday, falling 58-48 to Biola University.

QUOTABLE

"The trend continues for us again tonight. We played elite defense for the majority of the game. A few lapses in the fourth quarter allowed Biola to snag the lead. We just couldn't hit enough shots to give ourselves a chance late. Our group is so close to learning how to put a full game together. We relentlessly seek that now and to do the work necessary to be better on Saturday. Our staff will figure out ways to put our team in better spots to win, and they will undoubtedly show up to film and practice tomorrow with a willingness to do their part. We are not far away from where we want to be, and we are hungry to improve. There is no flinch in our dream chase. We have everything we need in our locker room, and we will achieve the things we want this year, just like we have the last few years." – head coach Tim Beauregard

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Sunbirds went on a 12-5 run to start the game to take their first lead of the contest with 4:28 to go in the first quarter.
• Biola tied the game at 14-14 with 2:06 remaining in the first period, but a 3-pointer from Sara Lundqvist put the Sunbirds up 17-14 before taking a one-point lead into the second quarter.
• The Sunbirds opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run after an opening 3-point bucket from Vanessa Cochrane and three free throws from Anisa Rillo.
• FPU led by as many as eight points in the second quarter, and strong defense from the Sunbirds allowed them to take a 26-21 lead into the break.
• After the half, Biola went on a 10-5 run to take their first lead since the first quarter with 2:43 to go in the period. The Sunbirds scored four of the next five points, though, to regain the lead and hold a one-point advantage going into the fourth quarter.
• Biola started the final period on a 7-0 run to take a 41-35 lead with 7:46 remaining in the contest.
• A 3-pointer from Cochrane and a jumper from Rachel Berry brought the Sunbirds back to within three points, but timely shots and made free throws from Biola sealed their victory.

STATS FROM THE GAME

• Cochrane led the Sunbirds in scoring with 10 points, including three 3-pointers.
• Lundqvist scored nine points with three 3's, along with a team-high eight rebounds.
• Berry racked up seven assists to go along with five points.
• The Sunbirds defense held Biola to just 31-percent shooting from the field while also forcing 15 turnovers.

UP NEXT

• The Blue & Orange travel to Azusa to play Azusa Pacific on Saturday.

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