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CLAREMONT, Calif. - At the Inland Empire Classic, Fresno Pacific men's water polo showed resilience against Cal State Fullerton (6-15) and No. 13 UC Santa Barbara (5-15) on Friday afternoon.

FPU 6 - FULLERTON 15
The Titans might have pushed ahead in the first two quarters, but the Sunbirds closed the half with power-play goals from Ryan Scott at 1:52 and Tristin Fox in the final minute, with Jordan Lambert assisting Fox. In the third quarter, Ryder Stermer responded to the deficit with a power-play goal at 3:19. 

Cal State Fullerton scored the first three goals of the fourth quarter before the Sunbirds got late goals from Fox, assisted by Roberto Perez-Puente, and Yanti Quijada with the final Sunbird goal, assisted by Jesse Bryan. By the end, goalkeeper Chase Hammes recorded 11 saves and added two steals in goal. 

FPU 5 - (#13) UCSB 15
UC Santa Barbara opened the scoring with three first-quarter goals before the Sunbirds got on the board with Luke Young's goal at 5:57 of the second quarter. UC Santa Barbara continued widen the gap, but Fox responded for the 'Birds at 5:25. The Gauchos scored the next 10 goals uncontested. The Sunbirds put together back-to-back fourth-quarter goals when Young scored off a Chris Sandino assist at 5:15 and Quijada converted a power play from Young at 4:24.

UC Santa Barbara added a power-play goal at 2:25 before Fox closed the Sunbirds' scoring with a power-play goal from Jake Canales at 1:58. The Sunbirds finished with five goals on 18 shots, including two power-play goals. In the cage, Chase Hammes posted 10 saves and collected three steals in goal, totaling 21 saves for the day.

Fresno Pacific mens water polo team is 0-3 overall. The Blue and Orange take on Cal Lutheran at 11am and Cal Baptist at 3:30pm on Saturday, September 5.
 

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