1/9/10- Strong Defensive Effort Comes Up Short

Fresno, CA- Playing the high octane offense of Fresno Pacific on Saturday, Hope International forced the Sunbirds to shoot 44.2% on the night- the fourth lowest total for an opponent on the season.  Unfortunately, the Sunbirds still had four players in double figures and knocked off the Royals 63-52.  Senior Marko Torovic produced a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Royals.

Aside from allowing a basket five seconds into the game, defense was the name of the game for the Royals (4-10, 0-5 GSAC).  Ten minutes into the game, the score was 9-8 in favor of the Sunbirds (13-2, 3-2 GSAC).  In fact, the Royals actually led 8-7 at the 13 minute mark after a layup by Junior Jack Appleby.  Appleby finished up with a career high 9 points.

By halftime, the Sunbirds had extended their lead to 8 points but the score was just 25-17.  No player from either team was in double figures at the break.  Freshman Kris Rosales had a team high five points.

Head Coach Bill Czech stated, “We held Fresno Pacific to a good first half shooting percentage with a strong defensive effort.  We missed a few shots and very easily could have gone into the second half with the lead.”

After the break, the Royals went back and forth with the Sunbirds keeping their deficit at basically 10 points.  The largest lead for the Sunbirds was 16 points.

Torovic went to work inside and was 4-4 from the field and 3-5 from the free throws in the second half to lead the Royals.

Junior Stephon Thomas, playing in front of his hometown crowd, had a big second half as well.  He pulled down half of his 10 rebounds and scored all six of points after the teams visited the locker rooms.

The one area that the Royals dominated all night was rebounding as they out rebounded the Sunbirds 35-24.  No Sunbird had more than five rebounds in the game.

Czech added, “This game was another opportunity for our team to grow as we work on elevating our standing in the GSAC.  We try and improve every game.”

Come Tuesday, the Royals will travel to Riverside to meet up with California Baptist.  Start time is 7:30 pm.

 

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