FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team was able to knock off Holy Names on Sunday night in a win-or-go-home game, which qualified them for this week's PacWest Conference Tournament. The Sunbirds will take on top-seeded Azusa Pacific on Thursday at 7:15 p.m.

"We have focused on a relentless pursuit of excellence with our team every year since I took over the program. At the top of that list is securing a playoff spot each year and consistently proving to be a playoff worthy team in the PacWest," head coach Tim Beauregard said. "With the many challenges we've had this year I'm thrilled that our group will get the opportunity to play in yet again another post season. This will be an incredibly valuable experience for our young players.  They have earned this opportunity through their many sacrifices throughout this last year. I'm thrilled we get to play in March again and feel very confident we will be the best version of our team come Thursday night."
 
The Sunbirds come into the tournament as the best rebounding team in the PacWest, leading the conference in rebounds per game at 43.9 rebounds per game. Their defense also ranks in the top five in both opponent field goal and 3-point percentage.
 
FPU is led offensively by Anisa Rillo, whose 9.7 points per game leads the team with players who have played at least 17 games and she leads the conference in free throw percentage at over an 85-percent clip.
 
Just behind Rillo in scoring is Felicia Dourva, who is averaging 9.7 points per game, followed by Sara Lundqvist at nine points per game. Lundqvist is ninth in the conference in 3-pointers per game, knocking down 1.2 from behind the arc.
 
One of the big reasons for FPU leading the conference in rebounds ins Maesyn Rix, who pulls down 7.1 per contest, which is tied for 10^th in the PacWest, and she is second in the league in offensive rebounds per game, averaging 3.2.
 
This season, Azusa Pacific won both contests against the Sunbirds, the most recent being a 72-52 loss in the Special Events Center on January 15. Lundqvist averaged 11.5 points in the two games while knocking down a combined five shots from behind the arc.
 
With a win, FPU would advance to the semifinals to take on the winner of #4 Concordia and #5 Biola on Friday at 7:15 p.m. The women's championship is decided on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
 
There are no capacity limits inside the Special Events Center this weekend. Masks are always required indoors. Tickets are available through PacWest, and links are above. Links are also available for a live broadcast and live stats for every game.
 
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