MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Azusa) – Azusa Pacific shot 33 percent from the field including 15 percent (3 for 20) from three-point land. The Cougars shot just 56 percent from the free throw line. Add it all up and it resulted in a 56-52 loss to Fresno Pacific Thursday night at Felix Event Center.

Fresno Pacific wasn’t much better. The Sunbirds shot just 38 percent from the floor and 64 percent from the charity stripe but in the end they had enough to pull off the victory.

The Cougars had a shot at the end but Ken West missed a three with eight seconds left that would have tied it. Then after Fresno Pacific missed a free throw, West was fouled with four seconds left. He made the first one but intentionally missed the second however Fresno Pacific grabbed the rebound and Harrison Pennisi made two free throws to seal it.

The Cougars actually led by five at 23-18 with just over five minutes left in the first half but Fresno Pacific went on a 11- 4 run down the stretch to take a two take a two-point lead at the half at 29-27.

George Reidy and Bryce Sloan had seven points each for the Cougars in the first half and West and Nate Kleppe had four. Avery Lewis led the way for Fresno Pacific with 11 points.

APU’s biggest lead in the first half was five while the Sunbirds biggest lead was four.

The two teams exchanged baskets through the first 11 minutes of the second half. Fresno Pacific led 43-42 with 8:38 left in the contest as neither team was able to create separation.

West hit a three to put the Cougars up 45-43 with 6:56 remaining. Kyle Monk knocked down a big three for Fresno Pacific with 2:23 left to give the Sunbirds a 49-48 lead. Reidy hit a bucket for the Cougs to tie it at 50 with 1:24 left.

After Sloan hit a free throw to cut the lead to one Isaac Peralta drove the lane and scored to make it 54-51 Fresno Pacific with 23 ticks remaining. The Sunbirds were able to hold on from there.

Reidy led the Cougars with 14 points and West finished with 11. No other Cougar was in double figures. Sloan had eight and Kleppe seven.

For Fresno Pacific Pennisi led the way with 15 points, Monk had 10 and Peralta added eight.

It was a big win for Fresno Pacific and only its third of the year as the Sunbirds were just 2-12 coming in. The Cougars fell to 5-11 overall.