AZUSA, CALIF. -- The NAIA's No. 9-ranked Azusa Pacific overcame a lethargic effort and held on for dear life to beat visiting UC San Diego in a nonconference game in the Cougardome Friday night.

The Cougars were in control of the game in the early going, building a comfortable 13^-point lead at 29-16 with 8:43 left in the first half.  However, the Tritons rallied and took their first lead of the game when Matt Aune made a lay-up to give UCSD a 78-78 lead with 5:25 left in the game.  The two teams traded leads 8 more times and tied the score another five times in the final 5 minutes of the game. Triton Mike Thimgan hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give UCSD its las lead at 88-87 with 2:02 left to play.  The Cougars shut out UCSD the rest of the way and took the lead for good when Ricky Blackmon made a lay-up with 1: 51 left in a game.  Thimgan went for the game winner with 4 seconds left, but his 7-foot running jumper in the lane rolled around the rim and fell out nito Cougar Tim Sebek's hands.  Sebek made one of two free throws for the final margin of victory.

The Cougars, who shot 50% or better from the floor in three of their past four games, were held to a season low to 48.8% (31-for-76) shooting from the floor.  In addition, they missed 13 free throws while the Tritons canned 15 of 17. 

Sebek led the Cougars was a season high 18 points, including 16 in the second half, and snagged a team-high 11 rebounds.  Greg Alley added 17 points off the bench.

UCSD was led by Thimgan's 22 points, including 16 in the second half.  Aune added 18 points and a game high 14 rebounds.

The victory was the Cougars' first over UCSD since 1985.  In addition, it pushes the Cougars current home-court winning streak to 8 straight.  The Cougars are now 11-2 on the season and visit Christian Heritage College Saturday night in El Cajon.  UCSD falls to 4-6.