The Official Athletics Site of the Fresno Pacific University Sunbirds

SAN DIEGO-Late free throws were the difference in an airtight game that ultimately ended in the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (0-2 overall) losing 56-53 to the Stanislaus State Warriors (1-1 overall) Saturday night inside Golden Gym.

Fresno Pacific surged ahead at the end of a back and forth first half, using a 10-3 run to take a 31-29 lead into the break.

FPU got to the line for four points sandwiched between three pointers by Ryan Abbott and Avery Lewis.

In the second half, the Sunbirds jumped in front by as many as six thanks to sophomore guard Isaac Peralta.

The lead returned to six with 11:18 remaining after a Harrison Pennisi layup, but Stan State responded with an 8-0 run to take the lead just three minutes later.

Peralta put a bow on the end of a 6-0 run that made it 49-45 FPU with 4:41 to play and the Sunbirds held onto an equal lead with 1:38 remaining.

The final stretch was back and forth with Abbott's jumper in the pain giving FPU its last lead with 22 seconds left, but Stan State hit four free throws in the final seven seconds to steal the win.

Kyle Monk led the way for FPU with 12 points while Peralta scored 9 points and snagged 10 rebounds while snatching three steals.

Pennisi added 8 points and tied Peralta with three steals.

"We had some strong stretches again, but signs of a young team," head coach C.J. Haydock said. "I thought we were pretty successful defensively, and really did a good job on both sides rebounding the ball."

The Sunbirds turned the ball over 15 times on Saturday which turned into 12 points for Stan State. The Warriors also saw 46 of its 56 points come from the bench.

"Ultimately, just not enough offense,  too many turnovers, and didn't convert great shots in the paint," Haydock concluded. "We've got a ton of growth available to us, if we are tough and together enough to attack it the relentlessly."

Fresno Pacific will have its home opener on Wednesday evening, hosting San Francisco State in the Special Events Center at 5:00 p.m.

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