SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Fresno Pacific women's basketball team upset Point Loma, the No. 1 ranked team in the conference, on Saturday afternoon in a thrilling 68-65 showdown. The Sunbirds came back from an 11-point deficit in the second quarter and never looked back, sinking twelve three-pointers as a team, which sent the Sea Lions into a frenzy for a large portion of the game.

The 'Birds took advantage of every opportunity in the final minutes of the first quarter, ensuring the Sea Lions didn't surpass more than an eight-point lead. With 12 points on the board, the Sunbirds shifted their focus on their defensive efforts, which led to a Sea Lion shot clock violation. With one minute left on the clock, the Sea Lions jumped ahead 12-19, but the 'Birds maintained tough pressure until a foul gave PLNU a chance at the line, bringing it to 12-20 at the end of the first.

"Our challenge with this group all season has been to grow through what you go through and to continually lean in, get tougher, get more connected, and honor the gift of competing together." Head coach Tim Beauregard mentioned, "Tonight I was really proud of our grit and resilience against an incredibly talented and tough Point Loma team."

The second quarter was a true comeback story for the Blue and Orange as the team effectively rallied from an 11-point deficit. Kate Evans was the first to score for the 'Birds, making a layup from just beneath the rim. Despite an attempt to steal the ball, Angela Whitfield recaptured the possession and made her way to the top of the arc, sinking one from downtown to bring the score to 17-22. The 'Birds tried to maintain that same pressure throughout the rest of the period, but the Sea Lions had their own agenda. In no time, PLNU had widened the gap significantly as the 'Birds struggled with turnovers and shot attempts. Whitfield made it a nine-point game with yet another three-pointer at 5:23.

With the clock ticking to four minutes, FPU trailed PLNU 20-31. A fire lit in the Sunbirds eyes as Remni White's three-pointer from Sienna Evans swished perfectly, providing the kindling for Trinity Tolbert who next found the net on a jumpshot, and then utilized a pass from Wilmurt to hit a three-pointer of her own to lessen the deficit to 28-31. In the final five seconds, Wilmurt made a drive to the net, making a layup to bring the score to 30-31 going into the half.

In the third quarter, Evans captured the first Sunbird lead of the day, hitting a three-pointer from downtown to boost the score 33-31. The Sea Lions didn't let the lead last long as they fought back with dual layups. After a blocked shot attempt, the 'Birds fielded in a ball and Whitfield was perfectly waiting behind the arc, allowing her to sink another three pointer for FPU. Making it 9-20 from beyond the arc for the team, Nina Wisniewski took advantage of a great pass from White and bumped the 'Birds ahead 39-37. The back and forth battle continued down to the final minute. At exactly one minute, Tolbert banked another shot from downtown, assist from Wisniewski, to give the 'Birds the lead, but a buzz-beater deep shot from PLNU's lead scorer ended the quarter 45-47.

Many obstacles presented themselves in the fourth quarter for the 'Birds. The Sea Lions slowly built their momentum and crept ahead with a score of 48-53. After deliberating a PLNU foul call, Evans took care of her two free throws then responded with a perfect three-pointer to give the Sunbirds a two point lead over PLNU, 55-53. An offensive drive by Whitfield, where she contributed a free throw, a layup and a rebounded tip-in layup, was truly the turning point for FPU at 3:04. The senior from Fresno responded with a PLNU play with a driving layup, securing her 14^th point of the game and sent the Sea Lions into a frenzy. Point Loma fought to stay undefeated at home as the Sunbirds' fouls allowed them to come back 62-61. It was coming down to the wire for the two teams! Ashley Aughterson netted one of her free throws, then Evans took care of both of hers, which forced a Sea Lion timeout and allowed them to respond with a layup. Despite a last ditch three-pointer attempt by the Sea Lions, the clock wound down as the 'Birds regained possession, ending the game 68-65.

The 'Birds broke Point Loma's undefeated streak at home and successfully upset the No. 1 ranked team in the conference!

"This is a signature win for our young group, but it's also a signature moment for our two seniors, who have carried the responsibility of serving and leading an inexperienced team all year. They've modeled what toughness, belief, and selflessness look like every day. The goal moving forward stays simple: not too high, not too low, and no flinch in our dream chase. We believe in what we're building, and tonight was another reminder to trust the process."

Whitfield recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, including nine on the defensive end. Tolbert matched Whitfield's scoring with 14 points and added three steals. Evans led all scorers with 16 points and converted three 3-pointers. Ashley Aughterson contributed defensively with two steals.

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