FRESNO, Calif.- It was a third straight victory for the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds Thursday night as they dominated the Jessup Warriors from start to finish 77-55 at the Special Events Center.
The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds set the tone early with a blistering offensive performance, jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first half. Their perimeter shooting was the catalyst for their strong start, as they knocked down seven three-pointers, led by Jonah Geron and Seth Brown, who each went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. The Sunbirds shot an impressive 57.7% from the field (15-of-26), moving the ball effectively and creating open looks with crisp passing.
Fresno Pacific also controlled the transition game, turning seven Warrior turnovers into 11 points, pushing the tempo off steals and missed shots. Their dominance in the paint was evident, outscoring Jessup 16-10 in the key, with Isaac Peraltadriving aggressively to the basket and Liam Switzer providing strong finishes inside.
Jessup struggled to match Fresno's efficiency, shooting just 34.5% from the field (10-of-29) and 28.6% from three-point range (4-of-14). The Sunbird's defense was disruptive, contesting shots and limiting second-chance opportunities by securing 18 rebounds compared to Jessup's 14.
By halftime, the Sunbirds had built a commanding 41-27 lead, capitalizing on their sharp shooting and defensive rebounding.
Coming out of the break, Fresno Pacific maintained its intensity, looking to extend the lead while keeping Jessup from building any momentum. The Warriors adjusted defensively, playing more aggressively on the perimeter and limiting the Sunbirds' three-point attempts. The 'Birds shifted their focus to the inside, scoring 22 points in the paint during the second half, led by Isaac Peralta. Peralta played a pivotal role in controlling the pace, finishing the game with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Jessup made a push midway through the second half, outscoring Fresno 28-26 in the period. They improved their offensive rebounding, grabbing eight offensive boards, which led to 10 second-chance points. Fresno's defense held firm, forcing Jessup into tough shots. Liam Switzer was a defensive force, contributing 2 blocks and 6 rebounds, while Ryan Abbott made timely defensive stops and hit two three-pointers to keep the Sunbirds ahead.
Turnovers became a slight issue for Fresno in the second half, as they committed five giveaways, leading to nine points for Jessup. However, their shooting remained solid at 43.8% (14-of-32), allowing them to maintain a comfortable lead.
As the game entered the final minutes, Fresno continued to control the tempo and executed well in half-court sets. They secured the win with strong rebounding and efficient shooting, closing out a dominant 77-55 victory.
Fresno Pacific will have a week to rest as they head to the islands for a series of three games against Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii Pacific, and Chaminade. Their first game will be Thursday as they head to Hilo to take on the Vulcans at 10:30pm, following the women's game at 7:30pm. Both games will be streamed on the PacWest Network.
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