Cougars Open Season With Blowout

AZUSA, CALIF. -- Redshirt freshman Ricky Blackmon scored a career-high 16 points in his first collegiate start to lead Azusa Pacific to an easy 93-47 victory over Bethany College Friday night in the first round of the Tip-Off tourney at Azusa.

The Cougars used a 14-0 run midway through the first half to take a commanding 31-11 lead over the Bruins. Azusa Pacific expanded the cushion to 52-27 at halftime and then used a 20-2 run the first eight minutes of the second half to put Bethany away. Senior forward Eric Wattree added 10 points and a the game-high 11 rebounds, and senior guard Tim Sebek chipped in with 13 points.

Azusa Pacific forced 27 Bruin turnovers, thanks in part to 18 steals, and limited Bethany to just 29.8% (17-for-57) shooting from the floor. In effect, the Cougars, who scored 52 points in the first half, had already won the game as Bethany tallied just 47 for their 40 minutes of play.

Azusa Pacific, which has now won four straight season-openers, enjoyed its largest margin of victory since being in Whittier by 51 points (110-59) in November 1993.

Azusa Pacific is now 1-0, while Bethany falls to 2-2.

The Cougars, who have now won all four meetings with Bethany, advance to the finals of the Tip-Off Tourney were they will face Christian Heritage, an 89-72 victor over Pacific Christian early tonight.

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Players Mentioned

#41 Tim Sebek: G; 6' 4"; Senior

#23 Ricky Blackmon: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#32 Eric Wattree: F; 6' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#41 Tim Sebek
: 6' 4"; Senior
: G

#23 Ricky Blackmon
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#32 Eric Wattree
: 6' 4"; Junior
: F

Players Mentioned

#41 Tim Sebek

#23 Ricky Blackmon

#32 Eric Wattree

Players Mentioned

#41 Tim Sebek

#23 Ricky Blackmon

#32 Eric Wattree