AZUSA, CALIF. -- Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 24 in the NAIA, used a 16-9 run in the final 7:44 to come back and beat Cal Poly Pomona, 85-78, in a nonconference game in Azusa Friday night.

Azusa Pacific trailed 48-41 less than 2 minutes into the second half but fought its way back to eventually catch the Broncos.  With the score tied at 69, the Cougars began their game-ending run, using a Ty Clark free throw and a Trent Jackson lay-up to take a 72-69 lead, their first since holding an 18-17 margin less than 8 minutes ino the game.  The broncos answered with a Terryl Woolery jumper to pull within 72-71 with 6:39 remaining, but that was as close as they would get as the Cougars answered with 4 consecutive points in less than 30 seconds, all by Dameon Page, who finished with a team-high 16 points.  Jason Sanders, who tallied 10 points and 5 assists, then canned 4 straight free throws in the final 26 seconds to ice the victory.

Four Cougars scored in double figures to lead Azusa Pacific, led by Page's 16.  Freshman center Bryan Lucas added a career-high 15 points, and Micah Sullivan added 12 points to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds.

Woolery led all players with 23 points.  However, he fouled with 2:42 left in the game.  The Broncos were also hurt by the ejection of Dajuan Sweed, who received his second technical of the game with 9:22 left to play.  Shane Lantz added 15, and former Cougar Ricky Blackmon tossed in 12 for the Broncos.

The Broncos led 39-36 at the half, despite being out-rebounded 24-18 in the first 20 minutes of play.  Cal Poly's defense held the Cougars to just 15-for-14 (.375) shooting and then relied on Woloery's 12 first-half points to gain the intermission advantage.

Azusa Pacific is 7-0 at home this year and has now won 9 straight in Azusa dating back to last year.  The victory improves the Cougars' record to 13-5 as they open GSAC play on Tuesday against Southern California College.  Cal Poly Pomona falls to 11-4.