Cougars Need OT to Steal Victory

AZUSA, CALIF. -- Azusa Pacific, ranked 18th in the NAIA, used a 6-1 run at the start of overtime to steal a 68-62 victory over Fresno Pacific in a Golden State Athletic Conference game in the Cougardome Saturday night.

Though Fresno Pacific led throughout most of the game, the Sunbirds never built a lead greater than seven points (24-17 with five minutes left in the first half). Azusa Pacific lead 2-0 and 31–30 at the half and never led by more than two points in the second half. There were 14 lead changes and 11 ties in the game. The Cougars led 57-55 with 4:19 left in regulation but never scored another point until Tim Sebek canned a pair of free throws with 23 seconds left to knot the score at 59-59. The Sunbirds wound the clock down and drove under the basket but were unable to get a shot off as the buzzer sounded.

Junior guard Jason Sanders scored the Cougars first two baskets in overtime to give Azusa Pacific a 63-59 lead with 1:09 left in OT. Sanders and Seebeck led the Cougars with 12 points apiece. Paul Perkins collected 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Fresno Pacific was led by Craig Griffin's 17 points. Damon Wiggins added 16 points off the bench.

The victory was Azusa Pacific's fourth straight and 13th in a row in Azusa. The Cougars improve to 19-5 overall and maintain their 3-way tie for first place in the GSAC with Westmont and sSouthern California college.

Fresno Pacific falls to 12-10 overall, 2-6 in the GSAC.

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Players Mentioned

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

#50 Paul Perkins: C; 6' 5"; Senior

Players Mentioned

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

#50 Paul Perkins
: 6' 5"; Senior
: C

Players Mentioned

#41 Tim Sebek

#50 Paul Perkins

Players Mentioned

#41 Tim Sebek

#50 Paul Perkins