SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Lady 'Birds met resistance against the Westmont Warriors on Saturday afternoon. After playing the team only a week ago, the Sunbirds started strong offensively with three 3-pointers, but fell 46-64 to the Warriors in the end.

Fresno Pacific opened play with a strong perimeter presence, as Alexa Perryman connected on an early 3-pointer, assisted by Sienna Evans, cutting Westmont's lead to 4-3 at the 8:18 mark. Evans continued to showcase outside shooting by hitting another 3-pointer at 6:49, narrowing the gap to 8-6. The Sunbirds capitalized on turnovers, with Evans' third 3-pointer of the quarter putting them within one point at 9-10 with 4:51 left. Ashley Aughterson then added a layup to keep pace, and Kira Wilmurt's late 3-pointer, assisted by Perryman, brought the Sunbirds to within one point again at 14-15 as the first quarter concluded.

The Lady 'Birds struggled to maintain momentum in the second quarter, managing only two field goals. Sienna Evans provided a brief spark with a layup at 6:13, bringing the score to 16-20. However, turnovers plagued the team, limiting their offensive opportunities. Nina Wisniewski made it a two-point game at 4:45. It was senior Angela Whitfield who blocked the Warriors as they had four-offensive rebounds and stopped them in their tracks. Westmont capitalized on further Sunbird errors, going into the half 18-33.

FPU sparked a pivotal moment in the third quarter at 6:10 with a fast-break 3-pointer by Evans, assisted by Trinity Tolbert, narrowing the gap to 21-37. This momentum was briefly sustained by Kate Evans' first layup of the match at 5:21, bringing the score to 24-37, and further free throws from Wisniewski reduced the deficit further. Despite a fast-break 3-pointer by Perryman that cut the deficit to 13 points, the Sunbirds concluded the quarter trailing 31-47.

The Blue and Orange made a concerted effort to reduce the deficit in the fourth quarter, highlighted by Angela Whitfield's 3-pointer at 4:33, assisted by Wisniewski. The senior Sunbird blazed ahead with another layup at 4:03 and went to score even more. Her seven-straight-point contribution turned the tide for FPU, 43-56. However, Westmont maintained its lead through crucial baskets, ending the game 64–46.

Freshman Evans led the game with 16 points, converting 5 of 18 field goals and 3 of 7 from beyond the arc, while also recording two steals. Senior Whitfield contributed significantly on the boards, collecting nine defensive rebounds alongside her nine points. Kira Wilmurt added five points, including a 3-pointer, and secured two rebounds. Mason Long highlighted her defensive effort by tallying two steals and adding three rebounds.

NEXT UP: The 'Birds face off against Jessup on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 5:00 pm to conclude the home stretch. Come down to the Special Events Center to cheer on your Sunbirds!

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