AZUSA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific University men's basketball team played two of the toughest teams in the PacWest to open their conference schedule, wrapping up the weekend with Azusa Pacific on Saturday evening. The Cougars' offense found a rhythm on their home floor, shooting 51.9 percent from the field for the game, and went on to take it 76-55.  

QUOTABLE
"Just a tough outing for us offensively, and in the second half we let that effect our defensive grit and consistency. We've got to put our guys in better position to succeed, and attack getting more disciplined quickly. We've got a lot of growth available to us if we will embrace that process wholeheartedly. The two Southern California road trips are monsters, and we know we've got to be better in our preparation, toughness, and togetherness to be who we want to be." – head coach C.J. Haydock

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Nate Kendricks opened the contest with the back-to-back buckets before the Cougars came back to go up 8-7 at the 17:25 mark. 
• A.J. Kirby knocked down a 3-pointer, and Marten Maide made a nice layup, as the Birds trailed the Cougars 16-12 with 10:12 to go in the first half. 
• Kendricks hit another jumper that pulled the Birds to within five at the final media timeout of the first half. 
• Jelani Watson-Gayle brought FPU within three with a layup with 1:35 to go in the half. 
• APU closed out the first half with a 5-0 run to go up 31-23 at halftime. 
• Ryan Abbott opened the second half with a layup thanks to a pass from Kirby. 
• The Cougars outpaced the Sunbirds early in the second half, knocking down three 3-pointers in a row to go up 40-32 with 17 minutes left in the game. 
• Darrin Person Jr. banked in a layup, bringing the Sunbirds to within 10 with 10:16 left to play.  
• APU created some separation down the stretch and took it 76-55. 

STATS FROM THE GAME

• After scoring a career-high 25 points last time out, Kendricks led the team with 17 points. 
• Watson-Gayle was excellent, scoring 14 points while pulling down two rebounds and nabbing five steals. 
• Person Jr. scored had a double-double, scoring 12 points while grabbing 10 rebounds. 

UP NEXT

• The Blue and Orange must wait a week before they hit the floor again when they take on Dominican in San Rafael, Calif. at 4 p.m. 

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