AZUSA, Calif.-Early turnovers plagued the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (12-4 overall, 6-2 PacWest) in a battle of the top two teams in the PacWest, ultimately  succumbing to the Azusa Pacific Cougars (15-3 overall, 9-0 PacWest) 90-55, Thursday night at the Felix Events Center.

In the first match-up between the PacWest's top two teams, 2^nd place FPU came in riding a three-game win streak but the defending conference champions defended their home court with a fury.

"It was just simply one of those rough nights that you have every once in a while," head coach Tim Beauregard said after. "Because of our uncharacteristic disconnect on defense and our lack of toughness with passing on offense, we weren't able to find any rhythm."

The Sunbirds hung with the Cougars in the early going thanks to the three-point shot.

Anisa Rillo, Aaliyah Seuell and Felicia Dourva all hit from deep and hung around at 15-12.

Rillo had all seven of her points in the first half.

Those three-pointers were FPU's only field goals in the quarter.

But FPU turned the ball over ten times in the period and watched their hosts go on a 13-0 run to close the first and start the second quarter.

Lydia Manu came up with a steal and score that registered FPU's first points of the second quarter and stymied the run.

The Sunbirds hit five field goals in the second quarter but all were two's and they turned the ball over seven more times.

APU, meanwhile, duplicated its 22 point first quarter in the second and staked itself to a 44-22 halftime advantage.

The offensive pace quickened even more in the third quarter and Azusa widened its lead to 31 points by shooting 68% in the period.

"Azusa is tough and played well. We'll be excited to play them again at the end of the regular season," Beauregard added.

Dourva was the strong hand for Fresno Pacific, scoring ten points in the quarter.

Azusa was even sharper in the fourth, knocking down six of its first eight shots while wrapping up the game.

Fresno Pacific was led by Dourva's 13 points.

Maesyn Rix added 5 points and led the team with 11 rebounds.

The Sunbirds hit their final road game ahead of a four-game homestand on Saturday, staying in Southern California to take on the Concordia University Irvine Golden Eagles at 2 p.m in the CU Arena.

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