Box Score
Fifteenth-ranked Fresno Pacific (22-6, 12-6 GSAC) came into the game on an eight-game winning streak and one game ahead of Westmont Men's Basketball in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings. They left Murchison Gymnasium the victims of a 67-63 Warrior win and in a three-way tie for third place in the GSAC standings with Westmont (20-7) and Azusa Pacific (19-9).

"It was a very nice win by the whole team," said Westmont Head Coach John Moore. "This is a big team win. We knew how important this was for us. We needed to win home games and to win home games against teams that have already beaten us. In the second half (of the GSAC schedule) we have beat three teams that beat us in the first half. That is a sign of a team that is maturing, a team that believes in itself and a team that is playing with great confidence." After going 5-5 the first trip through the GSAC schedule, the Warriors are now 7-1 in the second round and in possession of a six game winning streak. "We've been playing well lately," said point guard Chris Jackson. "We knew this was a huge game because they were ahead of us in the standings. We felt this was a must win for us on our home court." Jackson's hustle kept the ball in Warriors hands on multiple occasions in the final minutes of the game. The senior recorded 11 points, nine rebounds, six steals and four assists. "Before the game, Coach Moore told us to come out like we were 10 points down," said junior forward Blake Bender. "We did and went after it really well. This is a big win for us that puts us in the rankings, hopefully, and on our way to Kansas City."

Bender made 14 of 18 shots from the charity stripe on his way to a game-high 18 points. He also collected five boards, dished off five assists, and tallied three steals. The Warriors never trailed in the hard-fought game, but the outcome was in doubt until the final seconds. Up by 13 (40-27) at the intermission, the Warriors led by as much as 15 early in the second half. But a 9-1 run by the Sunbirds cut the lead to 45-38 with just less than 15 minutes remaining in regulation. Senior shooting guard Andrew Schmalbach (14 points) interrupted the Sunbird onslaught with one of his four three-pointers to temporarily put Westmont back up by double-digits (48-38). However, the Sunbirds scored the next nine points, culminating in a long-range bucket by Alex Davenport (7 points). A free throw by Dan Rasp (17 points, 4 rebounds) would restore a 2-point advantage (49-47) to the Warriors. With 11:23 showing on the second-half clock, Fresno tied the game at 49 on two free throws by Todd Brown. The Sunbirds did not trail by more than points the rest of the game. With 1:54 to play, junior center Evan Haines (7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks) fouled Craig Ash (11 points, 7 rebounds) and fouled out of the game. Ash made one of two free throw attempts to produce a 62-60 score in favor of the Warriors. When Fresno Pacific's James Lewis (17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals) stole the ball it looked like the Sunbirds might finally gain the advantage. But Dan Rasp knocked the ball out of the hands of Jesse Childs who was going for a layup and collected the rebound. After a timeout, Westmont brought the ball up the court. Rasp missed a jumper and the Warriors seemed to be completely boxed out for the rebound.

However, Jackson appeared on the baseline - seemingly from thin air - grabbed the rebound, and had the presence of mind to toss it off a Sunbird player on his way out of bounds. Jackson's hustle forced the Sunbirds to foul to regain possession. Jesse Childs (3 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals) committed the act and was disqualified for picking up his fifth foul of the game. Bender stepped to the line and missed the first attempt but made the second to give the Warriors a 63-60 advantage with 36 seconds left. Lewis attempted a three-pointer but came up empty. Jackson collected the rebounds and was fouled by Ash with 21 seconds to go. The point guard sank both free throws putting the Warriors on top by five. With 10 seconds left, the Sunbird's Adrian Hernandez not only scored on a layup but was awarded a free throw on a foul by Jackson. Hernandez converted the 'and-one' play, putting Fresno Pacific back within two (65-63). Schmalbach was fouled hard by Lewis with six seconds remaining and drained his only two free throw attempts of the night to make it a 67-63 game. In addition to icing the game, Schmalbach's free throws gave him a career total of 999 points. The Sunbirds had one more possession, but could not convert before the buzzer sounded to the delight of the boisterous home crowd.

"It wasn't the biggest crowd we've had," said Rasp, "but they were very passionate. In the second half, they got into it and helped us pull through." Asked what was inspiring his play, Jackson replied, "It is a combination of really wanting to win this game, loving my teammates, being a senior, and being a competitor." The Warriors have two games left on their regular season schedule. On Saturday, they will travel to Costa Mesa to take on the Lions of Vanguard (5-19, 4-14 GSAC). Then on Monday, Westmont will close out the regular season by hosting Azusa Pacific in a game that will likely determine the third, fourth, and fifth place in the GSAC standings. "We are on a streak and we are going to keep it up," said Rasp. "The guys are playing hard and are playing good defense. Everyone is excited about how we are playing." [box score]