KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Randy Allen's 3-point play with just over 2 minutes to play was the difference-maker as Indiana University of Pennsylvania pulled away from Azusa Pacific for a 79-74 victory in the opening round of the NAIA Basketball Championship Tournament at Memorial Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

With the score tied at 72 with 2:05 left in the game, Allen knocked down a 15-foot bank shot in which he was also fouled by Cougar reserve guard Jim Sporleder.  Allen converted the subsequent free throw, giving the Indians a 75-72 advantage.  On the Cougars' ensuing possession, center Roger Cahoon was whistled for an offensive foul, and when Rich Lynch put back a Marty Mattocks' missed free throw with 44 seconds left in the game. IUP found itself with an insurmountable 77-72 lead.

The loss disappointedly closes the curtain on Azusa Pacific's finest season ever which resulted in their first-ever appearance in the 32-team NAIA Tournament. 

"We accomplished many things during the year," said 20-year APC Coach Cliff Hamlow.  "We won the district championship for the first time and earned a trip to Kansas City.  We didn't win today and that is a little disappointing.  But I'm sure a lot of teams around the country would like to finish with our 28-5 record.  For that, I am very satisfied with the season."

Despite the game's 9:30 a.m.tip-off (7:30 a.m. in Southern California), Azusa Pacific was ready to go from the outset, jumping out to an 11-6 lead on the strength of back-to-back Cahoon baseline jumpers less than 4 minutes in the game.  IUP rallied to take its first lead at 18-16 on an Allen lay-up at 12:56 mark of the first half.  It was the first of 9 lead changes throughout the game.   A John Guyton lay-up put Indiana up 46-40 early in the second half, the largest lead either team had until the waning seconds of the game.  

Azusa Pacific led 56-53 after a Cahoon putback with 12:32 left in the game and, the Cougars were still up 64-63 following a Dennis Vanzant jumper with 8:48 left.  However, over the next 4 minutes Indiana held the Cougars scoreless from the floor, allowing just 2 free throws, and used an 8-2 run to assume a 71-66 advantage, and looking to add to it with 4 minutes remaining in the game.  That's when Cougar reserve guard John Fien sparked a 6-1 Cougar run with a steal and lay-up.  Ric Reed capped the run with a baseline jumper that tied the game at 72 to set up Allen's heroics.

Allen finished with team-highs 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Lynch came off the bench to register 15 points.  Reed led all players with 25 points while Vanzant added 18 and Cahoon chipped in with 11.

"We attained a major goal this year -- the district championship," said Hamlow.  It was very satisfying to reach a dream.  It relieved some tension, and getting to the NAIA Tournament was a fantastic experience.  This team rates right at the top with a couple of others I coached in terms of dedication and togetherness."

Indiana, which improves to 19-7 on the season, advances to Wednesday's second-round action where it will face Grand Canyon College, 69-65, a winner over Virginia State on Monday.