HONOLULU, Hawai'i- The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds held off a late fourth-quarter rally by the Chaminade Silverswords to secure a 61-58 victory at McCabe Gym on Monday night. 

"I am really proud of our team for finding a way to win," said head Coach Tim Beauregard "All week, we've talked about what it takes to win in Hawaii, and at the top of that list is the ability to adapt and find different ways to get the job done, tonight, we did just that." 

Fresno Pacific jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, capitalizing on Chaminade's turnovers to push the tempo and score in transition.  The Sunbirds proved to be defensive force, collecting four steals and disrupting the Silverswords' offensive rhythm. Combined with key baskets from Bre Hurt and Jasmine Heu, the 'Birds finished the first quarter with a 19-16 advantage.

The second quarter saw a shift towards defensive intensity, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm. The 'Birds, however, maintained control by locking down the Silverswords' shooters and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Despite a lower-scoring period, the Sunbirds extended their lead to double digits, heading into halftime with a 34-24 cushion. Anisa Rillo and Julie Ramirez provided steady contributions on both ends, with Ramirez grabbing crucial rebounds while Rillo's scoring helped keep the offense steady.

Coming out of the half, the 'Birds continued to dictate the pace in the third quarter, with Heu knocking down two three-pointers and the Sunbirds executing well in transition. Lydia Manu and Olivia Garcia gave the team a boost off the bench, combining for 12 points and playing solid defense in the paint. Despite the Silverswords' efforts to claw back into the game, Fresno Pacific still held a comfortable 52-38 lead entering the final ten minutes.

However, the fourth quarter proved to be a different story, as the Silverswords came alive and mounted a furious comeback. The Sunbirds struggled to take care of the ball, committing costly turnovers as Chaminade tightened its defense. The Silverswords gained momentum, outscoring Fresno Pacific 20-9 in the final quarter.

With just under a minute left, a three-pointer from the Silverswords brought the game within striking distance at 60-58. Fresno Pacific responded with strong defensive stands, forcing contested shots in the final seconds. Whitfield secured a crucial steal, allowing the Sunbirds to maintain possession and drain the clock. A pair of late free throws from Heu sealed the victory, allowing Fresno Pacific to escape with a hard-fought road win.

"We knew Chaminade would be a gritty, tough opponent, and they showed that in the fourth quarter," remarked Beauregard. "Looking at our stat sheet, it's great to see how many players contributed and made key plays to help us secure the win."

Despite being out-rebounded 43-35, Fresno Pacific's defense proved to be the deciding factor, forcing 26 turnovers and converting them into 21 points. The Sunbirds also received a significant contribution from their bench, which accounted for 22 points and provided the depth needed to withstand the Silverswords' late push. 

"Going 2-1 this week is something to be proud of, and we'll look to carry this momentum into Friday's game as we honor our seniors. This one definitely makes tomorrow morning's flight home a little sweeter—just like the ice cream we'll be enjoying tonight!"

UP NEXT 

Fresno Pacific will head home for a match-up on Friday with the Menlo Oaks at 5pm, where the 'Birds will celebrate Senior Day honoring their nine seniors pregame.   

SUNBIRD SOCIAL 

X - @fpusunbirds 
Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
Facebook - /FPUsunbirds 

#TeamFPU