FRESNO, Calif. - The FPU men's basketball team extended its' winning streak to four games on Tuesday evening, defeating Azusa Pacific 94-84 at the Special Events Center.
Spencer Heimerdinger led all scorers with a career-high 25 points, including 7-of-9 from the floor and a perfect 10-of-10 from the line.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
- Final: APU 79, FPU 69
- Records: FPU (4-3, 3-0 PacWest), APU (3-2, 3-1 PacWest)
- Location: Special Events Center | Fresno, Calif.
QUOTABLE:
- "APU is a very good basketball team. It was fun to play someone outside our pod, and we felt like we represented the NorCal well tonight. In the first half we were really good on defense, and we got better offensively in the second half. That combination of efforts gets it done for us in a massive way. This was as big of a team as APU has had in a long time, and as soon as we made the adjustment to get us more post touches, we created some space. Our guys need some rest and will have to make some adjustments before we see this team again next week at their place." – head coach C.J. Haydock
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Aamondae Coleman scored the first seven points of the game for Fresno Pacific, but the Cougars jumped out to an 18-11 lead over the first eight minutes.
- FPU answered with an 11-2 run, capped by a Coleman and-one midway through the half.
- Garrett Cook knocked down a triple to give the 'Birds a 13-point advantage with just over two minutes to play in the first half, helping the Blue and Orange grab the momentum heading into the break.
- Azusa Pacific steadily cut away at the Sunbird lead in the second half, pulling within five on a three-ball from Terrance Bevcar.
- The Sunbirds went to a timeout to regain their composure, and almost immediately, Heimerdinger and Cook followed with back-to-back threes to push the lead back to 11.
- A trifecta from Sean Nealon-Lino kept the FPU advantage at 8 with two minutes remaining, and APU was forced to play the foul game down the stretch.
- Heimerdinger and Adrian Antunez combined to go 14-14 over the final stretch, helping the 'Birds pick up their fourth straight win.
STATS FROM THE GAME:
- Five Sunbirds scored in double-figures, with Heimerdinger and Coleman combining for 27.
- FPU outrebounded their hosts 40-27, clearing 40 boards as a team for the fourth time this season.
- Cook knocked down 4-of-7 from behind the arc, setting a new season-high.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- FPU's victory snaps a six-game win streak for the Cougars in the all-time series, with the last Sunbird win coming on Feb. 18, 2017.
- Heimerdinger's career night comes on the heels of Nate Kendricks career-high in scoring on Saturday.
SOCIAL:
UP NEXT:
- The Sunbirds will return to the floor on Tuesday, Feb. 16, when they make the return trip to Azusa. Tipoff from Felix Events Center is slated for 4:30 p.m., with live stats and video available at FPUAthletics.com.
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