FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team (4-8 overall, 0-6 PacWest) played its final game of 2022 following the Christmas break on Friday, falling 70-62 in the rematch against Dominican (7-7 overall, 5-2 PacWest).

"It's continuing, for us, of playing really good basketball for long stretches, but not the stretches that matter for us to win a game," head coach Tim Beauregard said. "We never have to encourage our team to play really hard. We just have to figure out a way to put them in better situations to win the games, and that's on me and my staff to make sure that they have a better chance to win."

It was a strong start for the Sunbirds, opening the game on a 6-2 run within the first two minutes. The Penguins were able to score on back-to-back possessions to tie things up before the two teams started to trade baskets. With the game tied 9-9, Dominican was able to take their first lead of the game thanks to a made free throw, and they extended that lead to four points after a 3-pointer with 2:57 left in the quarter, and they closed the period out with an 18-13 lead.

The second quarter started just like the first with the Sunbirds coming out hot. It started with a layup from Maesyn Rix to make it 18-15, and after a made basket from Dominican to make it 20-15, the Sunbirds had three straight possessions with Bre Hurt points that gave FPU a 21-20 lead with 6:10 left in the half. The Sunbirds were able to extend their lead to six points thanks to a pair of buckets by Rix and a 3-pointer from Aaliyah Seuell, but the Penguins scored four straight to cut their deficit to two points with 2:41 remaining.

After Hurt scored her eighth point of the quarter to give the Sunbirds a four-point lead, the Penguins were able to close out the half on a 5-1 run to make it 31-31 at the break.

The third quarter was a big one for Dominican, outscoring the Sunbirds 24-16, which was jump started by a 10-0 run to start the second half.

Lydia Manu and Julie Ramirez were able to make a pair of layups to cut the deficit to six, but a Dominican jumper gave them an eight-point lead with 5:02 left in the quarter. The Sunbirds battled back, getting within four points after a pair of layups from Jenna Kurz, but the Penguins answered right back, getting their lead back up to 10 points with 30 seconds to go in the period. 

A pair of free throws from Ramirez made it an eight-point Dominican lead, and the visitors were able to take a 55-47 lead into the final 10 minutes of the game.

The Sunbirds started the final period with a 3-pointer from Joleen Corona to make it 55-50, but Dominican answered with a triple of their own on the possession right after.

Both teams struggled to score over a period of time, but the Sunbirds were able to cut the lead to just four after a 5-1 run thanks to a few made free throws and a layup from Anisa Rillo with 3:51 to go in the contest.

The Penguins, though, got their lead back to eight points with 3:11 to go, and they wouldn't allow the Sunbirds back in it, sealing the win.

Rix earned a double-double for FPU, tying her season high with 14 rebounds and adding 12 points.

Hurt was just shy of a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down nine boards. Ramirez and Corona rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Sunbirds with 10 points each.

The 'Birds will be back in action on Monday when they host Academy of Art. Tip-off at the Special Events Center is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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