AZUSA, CALIF. -- For the first time since 1978, Azusa Pacific can call itself a winner at the expense of Cal State Dominguez Hills.  The NAIA"s No. 21-ranked Cougars built a 14-point halftime lead and went on to defeat Cal State Dominguez Hills, 83-53, in Azusa Friday.  In the process of winning, Azusa Pacific posted its first victory over the Toros since the series' initial meeting in 1978.  The victory also snapped a 13-game losing streak to the Toros.

Reserve sophomore Jason Boswell led a Cougar bench that outscored the Toro bench, 48-20, by tossing in a career-high 16 points, including 11 in the first half.  Junior Darin Mayer came off the bench to add 14 points.  Sophomore Jair Fray led CSUDH with a game-high 17 points.

Azusa Pacific used a 12-0 run to snap an 11-11 tied and take a 23-11 lead with 9:35 lft in the first half.  Junior Jeremy DeVries tallied 5 of his 10 points during that run.  The Toros never got any closer than 15 points in the second half as the Cougars ran away and led by 30 points on a couple of occasions, including the end.

The Cougars have won 20 of their past 21 games at home and their record improves to 6-4 on the season.  Cal State Dominguez Hills, which still lead the overall series with Azusa Pacific, 13-2, falls to 2-5.

Azusa Pacific will be back in action on Thursday, Dec. 19, when it takes on Souther nOregon State at 6 p.m. in the open round of the Southern California Shootout at Cal Poly Pomona.