The Sunbirds entered the game with energy and determination but struggled to maintain consistency on both ends of the floor. Early on, Seth Brown ignited the offense with a three-pointer and a driving layup, setting the tone for the 'Birds. Isaac Peralta followed suit with his aggressive drives to the basket, scoring on contested layups and pulling down six rebounds to anchor Fresno Pacific's transition play. Despite these efforts, the Sunbirds faced difficulties with ball security, committing nine turnovers in the half, which Menlo capitalized on for 10 points.

Menlo's offensive game plan revolved around their inside presence, dominating the paint with precision and physicality. The Sunbirds found success on the boards, collecting 15 offensive rebounds to generate second-chance opportunities. Cooper Sheldon and Ryan Abbott worked tirelessly to crash the glass, keeping Fresno Pacific within striking distance despite their shooting struggles. However, the Sunbirds' three-point shooting (3-for-10 in the first half) and missed opportunities in transition kept them trailing. At halftime, Fresno was down 39-31, with adjustments needed to handle Menlo's inside dominance and ball movement.

Coming out of halftime, Fresno Pacific sought to adjust defensively and execute more efficiently on offense. The Sunbirds opened the half with renewed focus, as Peralta continued to attack the rim and create opportunities for his teammates. Ryan Abbott came alive in the second half, hitting three crucial three-pointers to spark scoring runs for Fresno. Abbott's perimeter shooting stretched Menlo's defense, allowing Sheldon and Brown to find openings inside.

Despite the offensive improvements, the Sunbirds' turnover issues persisted. The 'Birds committed five more turnovers in the second half, bringing their game total to 14, which the Oaks converted into another eight points.

The Sunbirds showed resilience late in the game, fueled by a 7-2 run initiated by Brown's layup and Sheldon's offensive rebound and putback. Peralta added two free throws to bring Fresno Pacific within six points with under three minutes remaining. However, Menlo's composure in the final moments proved decisive. The Oaks' ball movement created open looks, while their free-throw shooting in the clutch sealed the game. Fresno's inability to convert their late-game opportunities, coupled with Menlo's disciplined play, resulted in the 76-64 loss. 

Next up, the Sunbirds will welcome the Chaminade Silverswords to the Special Events Center Wednesday at 7:30pm following the women's game at 5pm. Both games will be simulcasted on ESPN 790 AM and the PacWest Network. 

SUNBIRD SOCIAL 

Twitter - @fpusunbirds 
Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
Facebook - /FPUsunbirds 
 
 

#TeamFPU