Azusa Pacific Upsets No. 18 Westmont

AZUSA, CALIF. -- Three time defending Golden State Athletic Conference champion Azusa Pacific snapped a 2-game losing streak and vaulted back into the hunt for an unprecedented fourth straight GSAC title after pounding the NAIA's No. 18-ranked Westmont, 88-70, in the Cougardome.

The Cougars, who gave up 7 unanswered points in the final minute at Concordia Saturday night to lose by 2, never left any doubt in this game, jumping out to a 17-point halftime lead at 41-24. The Cougars answered every Warrior challenge in the second half and built the lead to as much as 24 points (57-32) with 15 minutes left in the game. Westmont rallied to cut the deficit to 9 points at 75-66 with 2:30 left in the game, but the Cougars nailed 8 straight free throws in the final 2 minutes to keep the Warriors at bay.

Cougar guard Jason Sanders scored a career-high 19 points, including 15 in the second half, to lead Azusa Pacific. Eric Wattree added 15 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Westmont, which had its 6-game winning streak snapped, was led by Chris Lang's and Sean Martin's 13 points.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 16-5 overall, 3-2 in the GSAC. Westmont falls to 12-7 overall and drops into a first-place tie with Concordia in the GSAC at 4-1.

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Players Mentioned

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

Players Mentioned

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

Players Mentioned

#32 Eric Wattree

Players Mentioned

#32 Eric Wattree