SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The Sunbird women’s basketball team battled The Masters College (RV) Monday evening, but fell in overtime to the Mustangs 67-63 in a heartbreaker. FPU senior guard Bricali Cooley hit a three-pointer with :01 second left to play in regulation to push it into overtime, but the Sunbirds just could not pull out the victory in the extra period.
Fresno Pacific came out strong and led throughout the majority of the first half. However, The Masters battled back to retake the lead before half and went into the break ahead by four, 33-29.
As FPU did in the first half, the Mustangs controlled the second period and led throughout nearly the entire half. The Sunbirds refused to give in, and clawed their way back into the game with Cooley hitting the three-pointer that tied the game at 52-52 with just a second to play in the contest.
With TMC unable to score in the final second, the game would go into overtime, during which The Masters College would prove too much for the orange and blue. Despite the Sunbirds courageous comeback, The Masters would hold FPU at bay and go onto to the slim four point victory.
Four FPU players scored in double digits in the effort. Senior guard Bricali Cooley led the way with 16 points while senior forward MacKenzie Butler put up 15 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Sophomore forward Jessica Torrecillas and senior guard Samantha Cardeno rounded off the double-figure scorers with 11 points apiece.
With the loss, the Sunbirds finish 9-11 in the GSAC (13-14 overall), but will continue in the post season having qualified for the GSAC tournament. #8 seeded Fresno Pacific will have their work cut out for them aa they travel to face #1 seed Vanguard University Wednesday, March 4th in Costa Mesa, CA. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30.