AZUSA, Calif.- A second half surge from the Azusa Pacific Cougars proved to be the difference Saturday afternoon as the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds were edged out 59-54 at the Felix Event Center.
Ryan Abbott set the tone with a deep three-pointer assisted by
Gabriel Quiette, followed by an aggressive putback layup from
Cooper Sheldon after an offensive rebound. The Sunbirds looked sharp in the opening minutes, showcasing solid ball movement and high-intensity defense that disrupted the Cougar's rhythm.
Isaac Peralta was instrumental in creating opportunities, using his speed to penetrate the defense and draw fouls, finishing the half as the Sunbird's leading scorer with eight points and four assists.
On the defensive end, Fresno Pacific dominated the boards, collecting 23 rebounds, 10 offensive, to limit the Cougar's second-chance opportunities. Liam Switzer's effort on the glass stood out, as he consistently fought for loose balls and contested Azusa Pacific's attempts in the paint. Seth Brown added to the 'Birds offensive arsenal, hitting a pair of crucial three-pointers that helped the Sunbirds maintain their momentum.
Despite the Sunbirds strong showing, turnovers began to creep in, committing eight in the first half. The Cougars capitalized, scoring 12 points off the 'Birds mistakes to keep the game within reach. However, Fresno Pacific's ability to convert off turnovers and dominate in the paint allowed them to stay ahead. At halftime, the Sunbirds held a narrow 36-30 lead, bolstered by their rebounding dominance and strong shooting from the perimeter.
The second half began with Fresno Pacific looking to build on their halftime lead, but Azusa Pacific came out with renewed intensity. The Cougars' adjustments were evident, as they quickly closed the gap behind improved shooting and aggressive defense.
Fresno Pacific struggled to find their offensive rhythm, shooting just 25% from the field in the second half compared to 40% from Azusa Pacific. Despite their shooting woes, the Sunbirds continued to fight, with Peralta driving to the rim for key baskets and drawing contact to get to the free-throw line. Abbott added another three-pointer, but the Sunbirds' inability to sustain offensive momentum became apparent as turnovers mounted. The 'Birds committed nine second-half turnovers, bringing their total to 17 for the game, which the Cougars converted into 14 points.
Rebounding, a strength for Fresno Pacific in the first half, shifted in Azusa's favor in the latter period. The Cougars out rebounded the Sunbirds 22-15 in the second half, creating second-chance opportunities that they converted into 12 points. The Sunbird's bench, which had been a bright spot in the first half, struggled to maintain the same impact, contributing only nine points in the second. Meanwhile, the Cougar's depth shone, with their reserves scoring 42 points overall, providing a critical edge.
As the game wound down, Seth Brown hit a late three-pointer, and Switzer added a tip-in to keep Fresno Pacific within striking distance, but Azusa Pacific maintained their composure. The Cougar's consistent free-throw shooting in the final minutes sealed their 59-55 victory.
"We continue to compete at a really high level defensively every night, I am proud of our guys effort, but pretty disappointed by outcome," said head coach C.J. Haydock. "A combination of lack of execution and a poor shot making night does us in, despite competing really hard in another super physical game." "Lots of growth happening with our team right now, and just have to find a little more consistent offense to get outcomes."
Fresno Pacific will head home for a midweek matchup against the Dominican University Penguins Wednesday at 4:30pm, following the women's game at 2pm. Both games will be simulcasted on ESPN 790 AM and the PacWest Network.
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