FRESNO, Calif. – A second-half surge from the Fresno Pacific University men's basketball team propelled the Sunbirds over the Dominican Penguins 63-53 on Friday night, as the Birds racked up their sixth-straight PacWest Conference victory and their fourth in the last seven days. 
 
QUOTABLE
"Super gritty performance today, and Jelani Watson-Gayle carries the offensive load for us, with a couple of really important 3-pointers from Garrett Cook and Ryan Abbott that swing the momentum for us. We had a disjointed and listless first half. Credit to our guys for digging in during the second half and their willingness to compete at the level required. To go 4-0 over seven days is a tremendous testament to the toughness of our young men both mentally and physically. We will get some much-needed rest and look forward to running another gauntlet of competition in February."– head coach C.J. Haydock
   
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Penguins had a solid run to open the contest, going up 10-4 after 5:46.
• The Sunbirds suffered a slow start offensively, as they trailed 21-12 with 7:14 to go in the first half. 
• A late layup from DUC gave them a 33-21 lead at halftime.
• The Penguins led by 11 with 17:25 to go before the Sunbirds stormed back with a 27-7 run putting the home squad up 42-39.
• The Sunbirds knocked down seven 3-pointers during their momentum-shifting 27-7 run, with four coming from Watson-Gayle and two more from Cook.
• FPU led DUC 50-42 and would maintain their lead down the stretch, taking the game 63-53.

STATS FROM THE GAME

• Watson-Gayle led everyone with 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field, including a 5-for-10 performance from 3-point range. He grabbed five rebounds and a steal to complete a solid performance.
• Garrett Cook was excellent from long-range, going 3-for-6 from deep on his way to scoring nine points.
• Darrin Person Jr. scored eight points on an efficient 4-for-6 shooting from the field. 
• The Sunbirds went 9-for22 (40.9 percent) from 3-point range, with seven 3-pointers coming in the second half.
• FPU held DUC to just three 3-pointers for the entire game.

BEYOND THE BOX

• The Sunbirds entered Friday's game ranked eighth in the country in opponents field goal percentage, as they've kept opponents under 40 percent from the field.
• FPU completes the month of January without a loss, their second undefeated month of the season.

UP NEXT

• The Blue and Orange host Point Loma in a pivotal PacWest matchup next Thursday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m.  

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