FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Pacific men's basketball secured an 80-75 victory over Vanguard University Saturday evening at the Special Events Center.  It's the second win in three days for the Sunbirds, who defeated Dominican on Thursday.  The game was the first encounter since 2012 between the Sunbirds and Lions when both programs were members of the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) in the NAIA.

"Really gritty effort from our team today," said FPU Head Coach C.J. Haydock.  "Our toughness and togetherness was up to the challenges that a talented, hard-working Vanguard team poses."

The first half started slow for each team until Leonard Turner of Vanguard hit a 3-pointer at 17:30 to put the Lions up 3-0.  Isaac Peralta responded with a pair of successful free throws and a layup, briefly giving the 'Birds a 4-3 lead.  Micah Swartz would hit a three, but freshman Liam Switzer would respond for the Sunbirds with back-to-back baskets.  Threes from Carson Frawley and Anthony Tello increased the Vanguard lead to six before three consecutive FPU baskets would tie the game at 18.  The two teams would spend the next five minutes of the quarter trading points before Hugo Gonzalez-Garcia and Harrison Pennisi would retake the lead for FPU with just over 1:30 to play in the half.  A pair of Ryan Abbott free throws meant the Sunbirds would maintain a narrow 32-29 halftime advantage.

The second half was defined by both teams combining for 38 free throw attempts and the emergence of Pennisi, who scored 16 of his game-high 20 in the latter period.  Both teams traded baskets in the first 30 seconds, but the Sunbirds would go on a 7-2 run with almost all their points coming at the stripe.  A Brandon Gibson Jr. three would extend the FPU lead to 8, but baskets from Chris Chiles, Aibigho Ujadughele, and Turner would erase most of the deficit.  Jonah Geron would score five straight for FPU to pad the lead once again.  The Lions would continue to fight and claw, thanks to a strong half from Ujadughele who had to shoulder the load for Vanguard when leading scorer Tello got into foul trouble before eventually fouling out.  With 7:33 left to play Frawley nailed a three for the Lions to cut the Sunbirds' lead to three, but a 10-2 run by Australian duo Abbott and Pennisi pushed the FPU lead to 11 with under four minutes to play.  Tello and Peralta would trade a pair of free throws among some back-and-forth scoring before Pennisi blew the roof off the SEC with a furious alley-oop slam off a lob pass from Ryas Vang with just over 1:30 to play.  Vanguard were able to play fast and bury some late baskets and force FPU to the line, but disciplined foul shooting meant that FPU would be able to secure the 80-75 victory.

"Really happy for Harrison, who brings so much joy to our gym every single day," Haydock added.  "He does really well to be in control on his touches, and carries the offensive load for us with a really efficient outing.  The big man from down under shot 8 for 10 from the field on just 17 minutes of action, and came up one point shy from tying a career high.

Just behind Pennisi's 20 PT/9 RB performance was Peralta's with 16 and 8.  Fellow Aussie Liam Switzer knocked in 13 points and added 3 massive blocks.  The only other scorer to hit double digits for the 'Birds was Ryan Abbott who scored 10 points on a perfect shooting night.  Six more scorers would find the scoresheet for FPU.  The Sunbirds dominated the boards 39-25 and were exceptionally effective in the paint, outscoring the visiting Lions 38-20.

"This team is a joy, and the depth of character and belief from our seniors is really fun to be a part of," said Haydock.

The Sunbirds have a chance to make it three straight victories with a home showdown against Jessup on Thursday night.  The women's team tips off at 5, followed by the men's at 7:30.  Both games will be simulcasted on ESPN 790 AM and the PacWest Network.  It will be both teams' final game stateside before boarding a plane west for the annual Hawaii trip to face Hawaii-Hilo, Hawaii Pacific, and Chaminade in five days.

"We've got a very important stretch upcoming, and we will lean in to see how much we can keep growing and learning."


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