Fresno Pacific University (5-9) vs. Dixie State University (12-1) at Burns Arena, 7:30 p.m.*
Broadcast: ESPN Radio 106.1 FM, CEC-TV
SUNBIRDS
Coach: Chris Wright
Record: 5-9, 0-6 Pac West Conference
Streak: 7 losses
PPG: 74.5
PAPG: 73.9
Probable starters: Jonathan Jefferson (F/C, 6’6″, 9.5 ppg), Trevon Clayton (F, 6’6″, 11.6 ppg), Johnell Thompson (G, 5’11″, 7.2 ppg), Malcolm Griffin (F, 6’6″, 18.2 ppg), Josh Mason (G, 6’4″, 6.3 ppg)
Other key contributors: Drew Packard (G, 6’1″, 2.1 ppg), Jackson Carbajal (G, 6’3″, 12.9 ppg), Phil Jackson (C, 6’9”, 10.9 ppg)
RED STORM
Coach: Jon Judkins
Record: 12-1 overall, 6-1 in Pac West Conference
Streak: 1 win
PPG: 83.9
PAPG: 76.2
Probable starters: Kimball Payne (G, 6’0″, 8.8 ppg), DeQuan Thompson (G, 6’3″, 15.5 ppg), Jordan Rex (C, 6’9″, 5.8 ppg), Zach Robbins (F, 6’10″, 15.6 ppg), Robbie Nielson (G, 6’4″, 4.6 ppg),
Other key contributors: Mason Sawyer (G, 5’10″, 7.2 ppg), Louis Garrett (F, 6’6″, 9.9 ppg), Curtis Papenfuss (F, 6’8″, 2.4 ppg), Landon Clegg (G, 6’4″, 2.0 ppg), Dalton Groskreutz (F, 6’6″, 15.4 ppg)
Game outlook: Fresno Pacific was picked to finish second behind Dixie in the conference. They are currently winless and in the cellar of the Pacific West. They played Dixie well in their first contest this year at home, losing 85-80. Carbajal and Jackson have missed the last two games with injury. Carbajal is day-to-day and is expected to be in uniform tonight. Without Jackson, FPU lacks its only true inside presence on defense. Preseason all-conference selection Griffin leads the team in scoring and had 23 against Dixie State in the earlier contest. For the Red Storm, Groskreutz is still day-to-day (sprained ankle) and Garrett is still not 100 percent. Nielson has tackled the starting role head on and the team is coming off one of its better performances of the season against Azusa Pacific. The Red Storm is at home and this game will be a good tune-up for Saturday’s game against conference leader California Baptist.
* — Dixie State’s women’s basketball team also plays Fresno Pacific tonight. The Lady Storm are 6-7 and 4-3 in conference and the Lady Sunbirds are 3-8 and 3-2. Tipoff is at 5 p.m at Burns Arena.
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