AZUSA, CALIF. -- The NAIA's No. 8-ranked Azusa Pacific started slow but eventually found its stride and ran away from Pacific Christian College with an 89-67 victory in the first round of the 10th Annual Cougar Classic in Azusa, Thursday night.

The Cougars trailed by 7 points in the first half and was still down 19-17 more than 11 minutes into the game.  However, Pacific Christian went scoreless for almost 8 minutes while the Cougars responded with a 16-0 run to assume a 28-19 lead with 4:16 left in the first half.  The Cougars led by 19 (46-27) at the half and were up by as much as 27 points (56-29) before settling for the 22-point victory, their first over PCC since 1976.

Senior guard Dameon Page, a transfer from St. Joseph's (Pa.), led the Cougars with 21 points.  Junior Jeremy DeVries added 16 points off the bench, canning 5-of-6 attempted 3-pointers.  The Cougars defense forced 22 Royal turnovers and limited Pacific Christian to just 40% (26-for-65) shooting from the floor.

Pacific Christian was led by Axel Margaritha who tossed in 16 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Cougars are now 1-0 on the season and have won 5 straight season-openers.  They'll meet Christian Heritage in the Cougar Classic championship game Friday at 7:30 p.m.  Christian Heritage was a 78-74 winner over Holy Names in the first game of the evening.  Pacific Christian, now 1-3, will face Holy Names at 5 p.m.