University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

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FAIRBANKS – Fresno Pacific shot over 55 percent in the second half and rallied from a 10-point deficit with a thrilling 72-70 victory against Emporia State in game one of the GCI Alaska Invitational Thursday evening at the Patty Center.
 
Leading by a single point at 71-70, Jackson Carbajal was fouled with only 15.5 seconds to play to put the Sunbirds (4-2) on the line. After making one of two free throws, the Hornets (4-1) pushed it up court but Fresno's defensive pressure prohibited them from getting off a shot as time expired.
 
Carbajal turned in a team-best 22 points for the Sunbirds while Malcolm Griffin posted a double-double with 19 points and a game-best 12 rebounds. He also had a game-high seven assists to hand the Hornets their first loss of the season.
 
FPU shot 45.3 percent (29-64) for the game while ESU shot 41.4 percent (24-58) from the floor. The Sunbirds held a 38-34 rebounding advantage, including 12-9 on the offensive glass. Both teams protected the ball, with a combined 16 turnovers.
 
Emporia was paced by Kaleb Wright who led all players with a game-high 27 points. He drained four three pointers and led the squad with six boards. Terrance Moore also recorded double figures with 16 points. Paul Bunch set a new GCI Alaska Invitational single-game record with six blocks, all in the first half, which also happens to be the all-time three-game tournament record by two swats.
 
The first half saw 13 lead changes and six tied but with Fresno leading 29-26, Emporia answered with a 14-2 run over 2:22 to grab a 40-31 advantage. The Hornets took a 40-32 lead into the break.
 
ESU held a 49-39 lead with 15:09 to play but Fresno Pacific came back with five straight to climb to within five. Down 61-55, the Sundbird were able to tie things up at 62 apiece with 6:56 left with seven of the game's next eight points.
 
Back-and-forth the teams went but with just under three minutes to go, Carbajal's layup put FPU up for good at 71-69. Bunch hit a free throw with 2:33 to go to get within a point but couldn't muster another point to give Fresno the game one win.
 
Fresno Pacific returns to action at 5 p.m. Friday against Mary while Emporia State will take on host Alaska at 7 p.m. Friday.