Cougars Pound Biola, Advance in GSAC Tourney

AZUSA, CALIF. -- Raymond Tutt tallied a game-high 32 points, and in the process set an Azusa Pacific single-season scoring record, to lead the Cougars to a 105-73 victory over by Biola in the first round of the GSAC Tournament in Azusa, Wednesday night.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific advances to the GSAC Tourney semi-finals, Saturday night at Whittier College.

The Cougars, who led 43-34 at the half, opened the second half with in 11-2 run to take a commanding 54-36 lead three minutes into the second half. They led by 25 points throughout most of the second-half before a final push at the end gave the Cougars their largest margin of victory over Biola since 1970 when they posted a similar 35-point (104-69) win over the Eagles.

Tutt, who scored 16 points in both halves, now has Azusa Pacific single-season record of 841 points, breaking Ric Reed's 1974 record of 832.

"I thought we picked up our defensive intensity in the second half, and that was the key for us," said Azusa Pacific head coach Bill Odell. "It changed a fairly close game into a rout."

Steve Amar tossed in 12 points off the bench, and Tim Sebek added 10 to aid the Cougars. A trio of Eagles scored 50 of Biola's 73 points, led by Brian Giroux's 19 points followed by James Williams with 18 and Adam Lowery with 17 points.

Azusa Pacific will play Concordia in the GSAC sem's on Saturday at Whittier at 7:30 p.m. Concordia knocked off Cal Baptist, 94-79, to earn a date with Azusa Pacific. In the other GSAC first round games, Westmont defeated Southern California College, 84-74, and Fresno Pacific thumped Point Loma Nazarene, 91-62. Westmont and Fresno Pacific meet at 5 p.m. on Saturday, prior to the Azusa Pacific-Concordia tilt.

"The kids have to feel good about how they played," said Odell, whose attention now turns toward 26-6 concordia. "I think we're pretty realistic that Concordia is an awfully good team and we respect them. We know we have to get it done every time, one game at a time."
The eventual GSAC Tourney champion, crowned next Tuesday (March 7), earns the conference's automatic bid into the NAIA Championship Tournament in Tulsa, Okla., March 14-20.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 23-9 on the season, while Biola finishes its campaign at 10-21.

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Players Mentioned

#20 Raymond Tutt: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#33 Steve Amar: G; 6' 4"; Junior

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

Players Mentioned

#20 Raymond Tutt
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: G

#33 Steve Amar
: 6' 4"; Junior
: G

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

Players Mentioned

#20 Raymond Tutt

#33 Steve Amar

#41 Tim Sebek

Players Mentioned

#20 Raymond Tutt

#33 Steve Amar

#41 Tim Sebek