-By G.W. BARRINGTON Sentinel Correspondent

SANTA CRUZ - UCSC played an impressive game Tuesday night for the first half. The Sea Lions' second half, however, wasn't so hot. Fresno Pacific scored 64 points in the final period for a 93-69 blowout nonconference victory over the win-less Sea Lions, now 0-4.

In the second half, the Sunbirds . ran the ball, scored from the outside,  scored from the inside, rebounded, stole the ball and forced many turnovers while the UCSC team appeared helpless. The Sea Lions trailed by one at the intermission, 29-28, but in the opening seconds of the second half Fresno went to a turnover-producing, full-court press that UCSC was unable to beat.

"Their full-court press really shook us up," UCSC Coach Mark Henry said. "We only had four turnovers in the first half, but 16 in the second. You can't win with that many turnovers."

Capitalizing on the turnovers and an effective fast-break offense, Fresno Pacific maintained a blazing pace in the second half, averaging a score every 20 seconds. "Fresno was fording the pace with their defensive pressure and our defensive pressure had no effect," Henry said. "We were trying to get the game close and slow the pace down, but every time we would close the gap, they would go on another burst and pull away."

Going into the game, Henry knew his team would have trouble due to a size disadvantage. Fresno's starting front line measures 6-5, 6-6 and 6-7, compared to 6-4, 6-2 and 6-1 for the Sea Lions. UCSC's 6-foot-8 center, Tom Meallet, did not play because of an ankle injury.

"Meallet 's ankle was still tender and I want him to get 100 percent," Henry said.