SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Strong offensive performances from numerous Sunbirds helped FPU take down Sonoma State University 74-65 Saturday on the second and final night of the CCAA/PacWest San Francisco Crossover.  The Sunbirds won both games in the Bay Area and find themselves on a three-game win streak.  The victory moves the 'Birds back to .500 just six games into the 2024/25 season.

In the first half, both teams traded points back and forth with six ties and 11 lead changes in the first 14 minutes.  Big man Harrison Pennisi established a presence down low and out wide - hitting two 3-pointers as well as working effectively from the post.  Jonah Geron picked up where he left off in the last game, sinking back-to-back threes late in the half to extend FPU's lead.  Isaac Peralta was influential from the point and scored four consecutive points to break a deadlock at 27 apiece - it would be the last tie of the game for Sunbirds.  Pennisi's fellow Australian countrymen Ryan Abbott and Liam Switzer would make key contributions in the half to help FPU keep up the momentum against the Seawolves.  The half would end with the sunbirds on top by 11 - their largest lead of the half - outscoring their CCAA foe 42-31.  The Sunbirds shot an impressive 66.7% from the field, making 16 of 24 attempts, including 7 of 9 from beyond the arc. They also received significant contributions from their bench, scoring 19 points. Sonoma State managed 12 of 31 shooting, with their bench adding 7 points. 

The second half started similarly to the first, with both teams playing competitive ball and trading baskets throughout.  Sonoma State was able to cut the FPU lead to as little as three points, but baskets by Cooper Sheldon and Gabriel Quiette in quick succession put the 'Birds back up by eight.  The Seawolves would not go away and kept the 'Birds on their toes, until Ryas Vang nailed a three followed by a steal and layup to put FPU up by nine.  Peralta and Quiette would handle the scoring the rest of the way for the Sunbirds, who would lead by as many as 15 before winning the contest 74-65.  The Seawolves outscored the Sunbirds 34-32, narrowing the gap but not overcoming Fresno Pacific's lead. Both teams made 12 baskets, with Fresno Pacific shooting 50% from the field on 24 attempts, while Sonoma State shot 44.4% on 27 attempts. Fresno Pacific had a slight edge in points in the paint, scoring 14 compared to Sonoma State's 12, while the Seawolves had more fast-break points with 10. 

Pennisi (16), Peralta (15) and Geron (12) all hit double figure scoring for the Sunbirds, with Geron shooting .800 from beyond the arc.  Pennisi and Peralta also pulled down six boards apiece, while Quiette dished out five assists to go along with eight points.  Newcomer Sheldon set a new career high in his brief FPU career with nine points, making three 3-pointers to help the Sunbirds manage the victory.  

Through six games, Pennisi and Peralta are both averaging 10.7 points per game for the Sunbirds, who have built some momentum this week with PacWest conference play approaching.  

FPU will return home to host CSU Dominguez Hills in a Thanksgiving appetizer on Tuesday, with tip off set for 5pm PT.  The game will stream live on the PacWest Network.  


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