SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (9-3 overall, 3-1 conference) dropped their first PacWest conference game of the season in a close game, that featured eight ties and six different lead changes, against the Point Loma Sea Lions (8-5 overall, 4-1 conference) 52-48 at the Golden Gymnasium Wednesday afternoon.  

"It wasn't our night tonight," Head Coach Tim Beauregard said. "But our fight and resilience kept us in it until the very end. I was really proud of our perseverance through some sludgy parts of the game. It was tough to find a rhythm with the amount of whistles being blown but we found a way to push through and give ourselves plenty of opportunities."
 
The first pair of points came in the paint for Bre Hurt on a layup and a feed from Felcia Dourva to tie the game early 4-4.
 
A three pointer for Felicia Dourva, and four free-throws from Hurt and Dourva to give the 'Birds their first lead of the day 11-7.
 
With less than two minutes left in the first quarter the 'Birds expanded their lead with layups by Lydia Manu and Joleen Corona as well as a three from Manu to take a five-point lead into the second quarter 18-13.
 
The Sunbirds opened the second quarter with strong defense leading to points from Julie Ramirez on a three-pointer and a layup from Maesyn Rix.
 
Turnovers on the 'Birds allowed the Sea Lions to come back scoring eight unanswered to come within two, 23-21 with five minutes left in the second quarter.
 
The Sea Lions took the one-point lead with a three pointer before the Sunbirds finally broke their six-minute scoreless drought with a layup from Hurt.
 
The second quarter ended with six points off free throws converted for Point Loma allowing the Sea Lions to take the lead 28-25 going into the half.
 
Hurt continued her dominance early in the third quarter scoring the first four points for the Sunbirds to bring them within one, 30-29.
 
Both teams traded points as the Sea Lions maintained their one-point lead 34-33 with four minutes left.
 
Strong defensive play from the 'Birds and four free throws and a layup from Jayla Green allowed the Sunbirds to retake the lead 38-34.
 
The Sea Lions and the Sunbirds traded points to end the half with Dourva hitting a jumper as time expired in the third putting Fresno Pacific up 41-37. 
 
The point trading continued early in the fourth with the Sea Lions outscoring the 6-2 to tie the score 43-43 with less than four minutes left.
 
In the final minutes, Point Loma would score five unanswered points before Dourva hit a three pointer to bring the 'Birds back within two.
 
Point Loma would go on to convert a pair of free throws to seal the game and take the win 52-48.
 
The Sea Lions were awarded 26 free throw attempts to the Sunbirds 11, converting on 53.8% compared the 'Birds 72.7%.
 
Hurt recorded a season high 14 points going 6-9 from the field and 2-3 from the free throw line.
 
On the glass, the Sunbirds had eight different players with one rebound or more with Dourva leading the way with eight.

"Tonight was a big success because it was yet another game that proves we are really good," Beauregard added. "If we can be relentless in our chase to be better a better version of ourselves and a better version of our team daily, then results will follow, as they have all year. Excited to bounce back with a game in a day."

Fresno Pacific will continue their Southern California road trip with a matchup against the Biola Eagles (8-6 overall, 4-2 conference) Friday night at 5:30pm.

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