AZUSA, CALIF. -- It was a marquee heavyweight clash between California's winningest teams, and it lived up to every bit of the billing. Over the past 5 years, no California colleges regardless of level of play has won on the hardwood as much as Azusa Pacific and Cal State Bakersfield. And in this year's only encounter, the NCAA Division II top-ranked and defending national champion Cal State Bakersfield prevailed over the NAIA's No. 6-ranked Azusa Pacific, 92-90, in Azusa Thursday night.

Marcus Moss canned a pair of free throws with 35 seconds left to put the Roadrunners up for good, 91-90, and clinch Cal State Bakersfield's 16th consecutive victory, and its third straight over Azusa Pacific.

Azusa Pacific had taken a 1-point, 90-89 lead, on Jeremy DeVries' put-back with 44 seconds left to play. However, DeVries then fouled Moss away from the basket to set up his game-winning effort at the charity stripe. DeVries had a chance to redeem himself but fumbled away an uncontested lay-up with 4 seconds on the clock.

"We have 5 seniors on the team, and I expect them to show senior leadership especially against good teams like Azusa," said Roadrunner coach Henry Clark.

Roadrunner Toshiro Germany led all players with 22 points, but was unable to give CSUB a comfortable cushion after missing 5 straight free throws in the final 12 minutes of the game.

"We just couldn't stop Germany," said Azusa Pacific coach Bill Odell. "We ran everyone we had at him. We played with the best Division II team and this is a good measuring stick."

Azusa Pacific was paced by T.J. Walker, who tallied 21 points, including 13 in the second half. Center Nate Getz added 15 points before fouling out with 2:24 left in the game.

After the Roadrunners took a quick 5-2 lead, Azusa Pacific initiated a 14-5 run to take 16-9 lead less than 5 minutes into the game. The Cougars pushed it to 22-11 a minute later before CSUB used a 10-2 run to knot the score at 30 with 8:33 left in the first half. Azusa Pacific never relinquished the lead, though, and took a 50-47 cushion into the locker room on Andy Newman's trey with 4 seconds left in the half.

"We know they are capable of making runs," added Clark, "but we didn't panic because we knew that was going to happen. We know every time we go out, we're the hunted team."
The game featured 12 lead changes, including 11 in the second half, and 10 ties. The Roadrunners' biggest lead was 6 points at 61-55 (15:47) before the Cougars used a 7-1 run to tie the game at 62. From there on the national powers slugged it out to the final bell.

With the win, CS Bakersfield improves to 7-0, while Azusa Pacific falls to 7-1 and has its 19-game home court winning streak snapped, suffering its first loss in Azusa since Feb. 13, 1996 (112-96 to Concordia).