Cougars Rally To Advance In GSAC Tourney

AZUSA, CALIF. -- Azusa Pacific rallied from an 11-Point second half deficit to beat Point Loma Nazarene, 59-57, in the opening round of the GSAC Women's Basketball Tournament in Azusa, Tuesday night

The Cougars were down 45–34 with 12:48 left in the game, but went on a 9-0 run to pool within 45-43 with 8:41 left. Junior Christy Heyer scored Azusa Pacific's next eight points to keep the Cougars close, and when senior Stacey Garcia canned a pair of free throws with 2:13 to play, Azusa Pacific took the lead for the first time in the second half at 55–53. Point Loma knotted the score again on an Amber Cravy basket with 1:52. Cravey was fouled on the play but missed a subsequent free-throw attempt. Azusa Pacific came back down court and took the lead for good at 56–55 when Heyer converted the second of two free-throw attempts. Senior Suzy Hassell then tipped in a miss to put the Cougars up 58–55 with 57 seconds to play. Point Loma's Sarah Baczynski canned a pair of free throws to pull the Crusaders back to with a point at 58-57. However, Heyer made another free-throw with 10 seconds left for the final margin of victory. Point Loma was unable to get a final shot off to tie the game in the closing seconds.

Heyer led all players with 17 points, including 10 in the final six minutes of the game. Christy Brock added 15 points for the Cougars. Point Loma was led by Daniel Phipps and Annie Beddoes, who each posted 12 points.

Point Loma was plagued by foul trouble throughout most of the second half. Phillips went to the bench with her fourth foul with 8:41 left in the game and eventually fouled out at the 4:20 mark. Point guard Cameron Red, who led Point Loma with 10 rebounds and three assists, collected all five of her fouls in the second half and left the game with 1:35 to play.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific advances to the second round of the GSAC Tournament where it will host Biola on Friday (March 3) at 7:30 p.m. Fresno Pacific, the tourney's top seed which had a first-round bye, hosts Cal Baptist, also on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Azusa Pacific, which has won ten of its past 11 games, is 14-15 on the season. Point Loma close is the 1995 campaign at 11-20.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Suzy Hassell: F-C; 6' 0"; Senior

#14 Stacey Garcia: G; 5' 5"; Senior

#31 Christy Brock: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

#42 Christy Heyer: F; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#10 Suzy Hassell
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F-C

#14 Stacey Garcia
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

#31 Christy Brock
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G

#42 Christy Heyer
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F