BELMONT, Calif. – Four members of the Fresno Pacific women's basketball team scored in double figures, as the Sunbirds edged past Academy of Art 79-78 on Tuesday afternoon.
Rachel Berry had a monster night for the Blue and Orange, finishing two assists shy of a triple-double.
QUOTABLE:
- "It was an incredibly competitive game from start to finish. We played really loose, free, and connected offensively in the first half. We talked at halftime that our defense was going to have to show up in the second half for us to have a chance to win. I was proud of the fight that we showed late in the game to get the necessary stops we needed. As the season comes to an end soon, we will focus on trying to play are best basketball. Most importantly, we will cherish the opportunity to be together doing what we love to do." – head coach Tim Beauregard
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Felicia Dourva's jumper put the Sunbirds up 7-2 after 1:54 of play.
- From there, ART U put together a strong first quarter, owning a 20-16 by the end of the period.
- FPU trailed by eight when a Berry jumper was followed by consecutive three-pointers from Jessica Malazarte, knotting the game at 30 with 4:26 left in the first half.
- After five lead changes, Vanessa Cochrane buried a three with 1:33 to go in the half, putting the Sunbirds up 38-36.
- The Blue and Orange claimed a narrow 43-42 lead at halftime.
- The 'Birds opened the second half with a 7-0 run, capped by another deep three-pointer from Malazarte.
- ART U regained the lead with 2:10 left in the third period and closed it out with a 64-60 lead entering the final chapter.
- The Sunbirds trailed by four when Bayli McClard's fast break layup was followed by a jump shot from Lydia Manu, tying the game at 68 with 7:29 left.
- The shots from McClard and Manu were the start of a 12-3 run that was finished by a layup from Bre Hurt that put the Blue and Orange up 76-71 with just under four minutes remaining.
- With 0:36 to go, Berry hit a jumper that gave her team a 78-76 lead.
- Hurt came up clutch on the defensive end, stealing the ball away from the Urban Knights, as the Sunbirds would go on to close it out.
STATS FROM THE GAME:
- Berry put together an outstanding performance, leading the 'Birds with 19 points while adding 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.
- Malazarte knocked down four three-pointers on her way to scoring 15 points.
- Hurt added 10 points, scoring in double-figures for the third time this season.
- McClard was two rebounds away from another double-double while contributing 10 points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- The Sunbirds have won nine of their last 10 meetings against the Urban Knights.
SOCIAL:
UP NEXT:
- The Blue and Orange are set to host Dominican on Friday at 2 p.m. inside the Special Events Center. Stay tuned FPUAthletics.com for more information.
SUNBIRD SOCIAL:
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