IRVINE, Calif.- In a game that was a defensive struggle from start to finish, the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (4-6 overall, 0-4 PacWest) fell 52-45 to the Concordia-Irvine Golden Eagles (7-4 overall, 4-1 PacWest) at the CU Arena Saturday night.

CUI jumped in front on two occasions using 7-0 and 8-0 runs at the start of the game and the start of the fourth quarter to prevent FPU from picking up its first conference win of the year.

"Obviously, it is a really tough way to start season but there is no flinch in our locker room," Fresno Pacific head coach Tim Beauregard said after the game. "Our circle is staying tight and we accept these challenges while refusing to feel defeated."

The Fresno Pacific offense started slow, making just one of its first eight field goal attempts on a three-pointer from Joleen Corona.

Concordia-Irvine's focus in the paint earned the Golden Eagles a 7-3 lead over the first segment of the game.

Bre Hurt sank the only other field goal in the quarter for FPU while CUI inched away to a 12-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Felicia Dourva's scoop shot created a three-point play as she was fouled shoveling in the first field goal of the second quarter for FPU to pull back within four.

The Golden-Eagles repeated their success in the paint on consecutive possessions before Fresno Pacific duplicated its opponent success on three buckets from Hurt, Lindsey Moody, and Maesyn Rix in the paint to get within three.

Concordia-Irvine again pushed their advantage to six before Dourva knocked down a three-pointer to cut the difference in half.

Despite shooting just 28% from the field in the first half, Fresno Pacific remained within four point at the break.

The Sunbirds chipped away at CUI's lead to start the third quarter with Dourva connecting on another three and another circus shot to finally pull FPU even at 29 with just a couple of minutes remaining in the third.

After CUI regained the lead, Anisa Rillo earned the first lead of the game for the Sunbirds before FPU ceded a bucket just before the end of the period to trail 33-32.

The lead changed hands multiple times the start of the fourth quarter with both teams continuing to attack in the paint.

Concordia-Irvine delivered an 8-0 run after a couple of minutes to gain some separation in the defensive struggle.

Rachel Berry responded with consecutive buckets to bring the game back within three points.

Hurt pulled FPU within one with a pair of free-throws in the final 45 seconds.

But CUI hit a three on the next possession to make it a two possession game with just 39 seconds remaining.

Berry scored on another layup to bring it back to two points with 16 seconds causing Concordia-Irvine to take a timeout.

But CUI sealed the game at the free-throw line to hold off FPU.

In a defensive slugfest, Dourva tied CUI's Jasmine Rachal for a game-high 13 points.

Both teams shot in the 30's from the field, with field goals coming at a premium. Both three-point defenses were stingy as well, as each team made just 3.

Dourva connected on two of those for Fresno Pacific. FPU was 3-15 while holding CUI to just 3-12 from deep.

"We have started with four of the top teams in our conference and battled with every single one of them," Beauregard said of the effort. "We have to continue to work on how to close games and win hard fought close battles. We see our path on how to do so and are not afraid of the work that entails."

Berry's late scoring flurry made her the next highest scoring Sunbird, as the guard finished with 9 points.

"We feel really good about our chances to go on a run soon and we have zero doubt in our groups ability to turn this season around," Beauregard said. "It's still early and these early challenges are fuel for the relentless pursuit of excellence we refuse to give up on. We are excited about Monday and starting a win streak with what we know will be another tough game."
 
Fresno Pacific has one more chance to pick up its first conference win before the Christmas break as it heads further south to take on the surging Point Loma Sea Lions Monday afternoon in San Diego.

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