TURLOCK, Calif. –An early deficit turned into a 65-57 loss for the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (4-2 overall) against the host Stanislaus State Warriors (4-4 overall) 65-57 Tuesday evening at the Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena.

"Tonight, we did not bring enough toughness in a few areas," FPU head coach Tim Beauregard said. "And ultimately it cost us. Even after taking a while to get a rhythm, we found ourselves in a position to win. Just didn't have the final push."
 
Stan State's strong defensive start help the Warriors jump out to an early 8-0 lead.
 
The first points for the Sunbirds came six minutes in as Jasmine Heu converted a layup.
 
A pair of free throws from Jayla Green and a jumper from Bre Hurt brought the Sunbirds back within four 10-6.

Stan State built its advantage to 17-9 before the end of the quarter.
 
The Sunbirds converted back-to-back threes from Olivia Garcia and Julie Ramirez to pull within two before the Warriors got a basket to end the first quarter down 19-15.
 
The offensive woes continued for the Sunbirds as the Warriors outscored the 'Birds 11-2 in the first six minutes of the second quarter.
 
Jumpers from Ramierez and Maesyn Rix along with layups from Felicia Dourva and Ramirez marked the only points for the 'Birds in the second quarter as they went into halftime down 32-23.
 
The Sunbirds opened the third trading points with the Warriors as Green and Ramirez hit jumpers on back-to-back offensive possessions.
 
Stan State answered with six consecutive points to extend to a 13 point lead, their largest of the game.
 
Finally finding an offensive rhythm, the 'Birds charged back behind a Lydia Manu layup along with five points, including a three, from Joleen Corona to pull within two possessions at 40-34 with less than two minutes left in the third quarter.
 
Aaliyah Seuell hit a three and a jumper from Ramirez answered five Stan State points and ended the third quarter 45-39.

The 'Birds would draw within a possession at multiple points along the fourth quarter without pulling even. 

FPU opened the fourth quarter with a jumper from Hurt and a three from Douvra to come within two.
 
Stanislaus State continued to outscore Fresno Pacific six to two with three minutes left in the quarter.
 
The 'Birds managed to come within two again 52-50, but the Warriors thwarted the comeback with matching buckets down the stretch..
 
The Warriors led the entire game despite a few strong pushes from FPU to pull even.

"It's a great lesson for us to learn from and we will be better for it," Beauregard added. "There is no confusion in our locker room on the areas we must focus. No flinch. Just growth."
 
Eleven different Sunbirds made at least one field goal, with Ramirez' 11 points leading the FPU scoring.
 
Rix recorded another double-digit rebound game with 10, her fourth in six games.

"This was a great test," Beauregard said of the final non-conference game before the PacWest opener. "It continues to be clear on what we need to work on and that clarity gives us a great deal of confidence."
 
Fresno Pacific will head to Hawaii to open PacWest play against Chaminade on Saturday at 3:00 p.m PT.
 
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