Box score (PDF)
 
ARCATA, Calif. – A lot of nights, 77 points gets the win.
 
But on Saturday, that wasn't enough for the Seattle Pacific Falcons.
 
Ashlynn Burgess poured in 23 points and was one of three players in double figures, and Ashley Alter posted her first collegiate double-double, but SPU couldn't slow down Fresno Pacific's offense as the Sunbirds pulled away for a 91-77 victory in the West Region Challenge women's basketball tournament.
 
The Falcons (0-2) came up short for the second straight night in Humboldt State's Lumberjack Arena. On Friday, they fell to host Humboldt, 70-54.
 
Sophomore guard Alter added 15 points for SPU and 10 rebounds, and freshman Grace Sterk chipped in 12.
 
Seattle Pacific was down just 67-60 entering the fourth quarter, but never was able to catch up to Fresno Pacific (1-1). The Sunbirds went for more than 20 points in three of the four periods, tacking on another 24 in the fourth to fend off the Falcons.
 
"We could not manufacture stops when we needed to," head coach Mike Simonson said. "The second quarter, we were really good defensively (limiting Fresno Pacific to just 14 points). But the other three quarters, we were below average, and that won't win games. They do make tough shots. But even if it's a good-shooting team, we can't give up stats like we gave up."
 
Junior forward Burgess, a transfer from two-year Wenatchee Valley College, led Seattle Pacific in scoring for the second straight night, this time connecting on 9 of 15 from the field. On Friday against Humboldt State, she logged a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Burgess pulled down five boards on Saturday.
 
Burgess was named to the six-player All-Tournament team.
 
Alter's 15 points was three shy of her career high. But her 10 rebounds was more than double her previous best of three, which she had five times last season.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
-- Fresno Pacific converted 16 Seattle Pacific turnovers into 22 points. The Sunbirds turned it over just 11 times, netting five points for the Falcons.
-- Jessica Malazarte went for 25 points, the second year in  a row she has come up big against SPU. In last year's 80-69 preseason win at Bellingham, she had 32.
 
UP NEXT
The Falcons are back on the road for another tournament next weekend, heading to Azusa, Calif., for the West Region Crossover Classic. SPU takes on host Azusa Pacific on Friday at 7:30 p.m., then plays UC San Diego next Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
 
 
NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
West Region Challenge
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019
Lumberjack Arena / Arcata, Calif.
 
Fresno Pacific 91, Seattle Pacific 77
 
FRESNO PACIFIC (1-1)
Pisit 4-10 1-2 11, B. McClard 5-11 1-2 12, K McClard 2-4 4-4 10, Malazarte 10-14 1-1 25, Cross 6-14 3-6 15, Dourva 2-5 1-1 6, Lundqvist 3-6 0-0 8, Munster 0-2 2-3 2, Sheret 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 33-67 13-19 91.
 
SEATTLE PACIFIC (0-2)
Burgess 9-15 3-4 23, Sterk 4-8 3-4 12, Bennett 4-8 0-0 9, Rexach Roure 1-6 0-0 2, Hingston 1-1 2-2 4, Berg 2-6 1-2 5, Alter 6-18 1-2 15, Brennan 3-7 0-0 7, Boston 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-69 10-14 77.
 
Fresno Pacific      29           14           24           24           -- 91
Seattle Pacific      23           15           22           17           -- 77
 
3-point goals – FPU 12-26 (Pisik 2-3, B. Clard 1-2, K. McClard 2-4, Malazarte 4-5, Cross 0-2, Dourva 1-3, Lundqvist 2-4, Munster 0-2), SPU 7-23 (Burgess 2-4, Sterk 1-3, Bennett 1-3, Rexach Roure 0-3, Berg 0-2, Alter 2-4, Brennan 1-4). Fouled out – None. Rebounds – FPU 30 (Pisik 7), SPU 38 (Alter 10). Assists – FPU 14 (Malazarte 5), SPU 14 (6 players with 2). Turnovers – FPU 11, SPU 16. Total fouls – FPU 19, SPU 22. Technical fouls – None. Attendance -- 74.
 
Next game
Seattle Pacific at Fresno Pacific
Friday, Nov. 15     7:00 p.m.
Felix Event Center / Azusa, Calif.