FRESNO, Calif.-Erasing a sixteen point halftime deficit, the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (10-12 overall, 5-10 PacWest) kept their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling 80-77 overtime win over the Concordia University Irvine Golden Eagles (15-5 overall, 12-2 PacWest) Monday night at the Special Events Center.

Down early, Fresno Pacific erased the double-digit gap by the end of the third quarter before leading for much of the fourth and putting the game in overtime.

"I'm really proud of the type of resiliency we've shown lately," Fresno Pacific head coach Tim Beauregard said. "Tonight, was more of the same. After not having a tough enough first half, we bounced back and had a second half full of hard fought stretches."

Practically nothing went right for FPU in the first half as Concordia hit three pointers with six different players and built a 44-28 advantage.

But Fresno Pacific responded in the third quarter with a vengeance. FPU erased the 16-point deficit to take a 56-55 lead with minutes left in the third.

The Sunbirds had their largest single output quarter of the season, pouring in 30 points as the 4^th quarter started with a 58-58 score.

The game changed hands throughout the final two minutes with FPU taking a 69-68 lead with 46.3 seconds on a Bre Hurt driving layup.

The 'Birds added a point at the free-throw line and appeared to have a chance to seal the game but a loose ball that appeared to go off of Concordia was overturned to give the Golden Eagles the ball. Seconds later, the Golden Eagles tied the game on a runner and eventually forced overtime.

FPU's defense tightened in the extra period, limiting Concordia to just one field goal, while the 'Birds sealed the game at the free-throw line.

Fresno Pacific was buoyed all evening by veterans Rachel Berry and Maesyn Rix.

Berry earned 17 free-throw attempts at the night and went 5-8 from the field to finish with 19 points while snatching 6 rebounds.

"A real Rachel Berry superpower game tonight too," Beauregard added. "With the number of injuries and surgeries she has been through it was so incredible to watch her grit and talent be on full display. I'm always in awe of her passion for the game. A true professional."

Rix was irreplaceable on the glass snagging 10 boards, four on the offensive end, and shot 7-8 from the field to finish with 16 points.

Sara Lundqvist and Felicia Dourva each finished with double-figures as well.

"Our senior group of Rachel, Maesyn, Sara, and Felicia dictated a tone and flow of the game," Beauregard said. "That kept us chipping away in the second half. Big bench contributions and a relentless togetherness gave us the chance to seal the deal. "

Fresno Pacific sets out on a four-game road trip that will take them through Hawai'i and back to the Bay Area before they return home for Senior Day on February 25^th against Holy Names.

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