OAKLAND, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific University men's basketball team battled Holy Names in Oakland, Calif. on Monday night. Clutch baskets from Ryan Abbott down the stretch lifted the Sunbirds over the Hawks 68-60, marking the fourth consecutive PacWest Conference win for the Birds. 
 
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 "Proud of our team tonight. Holy Names was well prepared, well-coached, and competed very hard. Most proud of our guys for enduring a hostile environment. I thought our character and maturity stood out tonight. A monster effort from Ryan [Abbot] on a night that points are hard to come by, and that carries us despite a poor shooting night. No rest for us in this gauntlet; we will turn right around and prepare to finish out this grueling stretch."– head coach C.J. Haydock  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After trading points early, Jelani Watson-Gayle knocked down a jumper that put the Sunbirds up 12-6 nearly 8 minutes into the game. 
• A layup from Marten Maide put the Birds up 14-6 with just under 10 minutes to go in the first half.
• With 4:53 left in the first half, Jason Cibull made a 3-pointer that tied the Hawks and Sunbirds at 20. 
• Nate Kendricks converted a tough and-1 layup to complete an 8-2 run that was a 2:55 burst.
• The Sunbirds maintained their lead and carried a 32-26 advantage into the break. 
• The Hawks came out of halftime with a run and took a 1-point lead just over 3:30 into the second half. 
• The two teams were tied at 42 when the Sunbirds used a short 5-0 run to gain the lead with 11:46 to go in the game. 
• The Sunbirds trialed by two with 3:46 remaining when Abbott tied the game at 58.
•  A 3-pointer from Spencer Heimerdinger led to back-to-back baskets from Abbott, putting the Birds up five with 1:37 to go. 
• FPU secured the game down the stretch, taking the game 68-60. 

STATS FROM THE GAME

• Abbott tied for a game-high 18 points, including six points in the final 3:36 of the game. He added 11 rebounds to complete the first double-double of his career. 
• Watson-Gayle scored 16 points while adding three rebounds, four assists, and three steals for a complete performance for the Birds.
• Kendricks filled it up, scoring 14 points, with three rebounds and two steals. 
• The Sunbird bench outscored the Hawks bench 23-11. 

BEYOND THE BOX

• Abbott registered his first career double-double with the Sunbirds and set a new career-high in points with the Blue and Orange.  

UP NEXT

• A rematch between FPU and HNU is scheduled for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. inside the Special Events Center. 

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