FRESNO, Calif.- The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds led from start to finish Monday afternoon as they defeated the Academy of Art Urban Knights 59-46 at the Special Events Center. 

The game began as a defensive battle, with both teams contesting every shot and passing lane. Fresno Pacific took an early 12-8 lead by the end of the first quarter, showcasing their commitment to discipline and hustle on the defensive end.

Anisa Rillo provided an early spark for the Sunbirds, knocking down a three-pointer off an assist from Jayla Green, who also anchored the defense with rebounds and hustle plays. Breanna Hurt established a presence in the paint, grabbing key defensive rebounds to limit Academy of Art's second-chance opportunities.

The Urban Knights relied heavily on Lucia Revenga, who scored six points in the opening frame, including strong drives into the paint. Despite Revenga's efforts, Academy of Art struggled with turnovers, committing four in the quarter, which Fresno Pacific converted into quick transition opportunities.

The second quarter saw both teams hit a wall offensively. Fresno Pacific managed just ten points, while Academy of Art added 13 to close the gap. Despite the offensive struggles, Fresno Pacific maintained their composure, leaning on their defense to keep Academy of Art in check.

Jasmine Heu led the charge for the 'Birds attacking the basket to draw fouls and converting all her free throws, providing much-needed energy, finishing the half with eight points.

For Academy of Art, Revenga continued to lead the way, scoring on drives to the rim while pulling down rebounds to keep possessions alive. However, turnovers remained a problem for the Urban Knights, who committed five in the quarter. Fresno Pacific went into halftime clinging to a narrow 22-21 lead, knowing they needed to make offensive adjustments in the second half. 

The third quarter marked a turning point as Fresno Pacific began to find rhythm offensively and extend their lead. They outscored Academy of Art 17-13 in the frame, fueled by improved ball movement and bench contributions.

Olivia Garcia stepped up with a crucial three-pointer early in the quarter, while Aaliyah Seuell added another from beyond the arc to energize the Sunbirds. Fresno Pacific's offensive spacing forced Academy of Art's defense to scramble, leading to open looks for their shooters.

Defensively, Green and Hurt continued to dominate the boards, combining for several defensive rebounds that prevented Academy of Art from capitalizing on their 13 offensive rebounds. The Sunbirds also tightened their defensive rotations, forcing contested shots and limiting the Urban Knights to just one made three-pointer in the quarter.

By the end of the third, Fresno Pacific held a 39-34 lead, setting the stage for a decisive final quarter.

Fresno Pacific delivered their most complete performance in the final quarter, outscoring Academy of Art 20-12 to secure the victory. Their defense was relentless, holding the Silverswords to just 32.7% shooting for the game.

Heu continued her aggressive play, driving into the lane and earning trips to the free-throw line, where she maintained her perfect record. Her 12 points led the Sunbirds, and her ability to control the pace in crunch time was pivotal.

Bench contributions once again proved vital, with Garcia hitting another three-pointer and Hurt converting in the paint. The 'Birds capitalized on turnovers throughout the game, scoring 21 points off 18 the Urban Knights miscues, including several transition baskets in the closing minutes.

Despite Academy of Art's effort to stay within striking distance, Revenga (14 points, 8 rebounds) was the only consistent offensive threat. Turnovers and inefficient three-point shooting (2-of-15) ultimately doomed the Urban Knight's comeback hopes.

The Sunbirds will head north for a rematch with the Dominican University Penguins Thursday at 5pm with the men's game to follow at 7:30pm. Both games will be streamed on the PacWest Network. 

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