FRESNO, Calif. -
The Sunbird women's basketball team hosted Hope International University Saturday afternoon at FPU’s Special Event Center, routing the Royals 90-65. With the much welcomed win, Fresno Pacific improves to 6-9 in GSAC, and 10-12 overall.
FPU trailed just once early on in the first half 5-6 with 16:00 minutes left to play, but were able to re-take the lead at 7-6 and remained in control from that point on. The Sunbirds extended the lead to as much as 20 points 47-27 with 1:46 left in the first period, and ended the first half ahead 49-36.
To open the second half, the Fresno Pacific continued putting the Royals under pressure, eventually going on to win the game by 25 points. In the process, FPU scored a season high 90 points and was able to break a four game winless streak.
Three Sunbirds scored in double figures to help the orange and blue to the win. Sophomore forward Jessica Torrecillas had another strong performance to lead the way for Fresno Pacific with 21 points, and was solid in the paint grabbing 11 rebounds. FPU senior guard Bricali Cooley also contributed significantly scoring 21 points and had three steals, while teammate Michele Rebozzi put up 12 points in the contest as well.
For the game, Fresno Pacific shot 29-60 (48.3%) from the field and was 30-34 (88.2%) from the free-throw line, but still had difficulty from three-point distance shooting just 2-9 (22.2%).
“I like what we did offensively,” commended FPU head coach Meredith Pulliam, “but we need to get a lot better on the defensive end if we want to beat the teams we need to beat to make playoffs.”
Next up, FPU will host #18 Azusa Pacific University (17-6) Tuesday, February 17th at FPU's Special Event Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30PM.