AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific held Cal State Dominguez Hills to just 22% (17-for-77) shooting for the game to overcome their own shooting woes and escape with a 53-42 victory in a nonconference game Wednesday night in Azusa.

The Cougars themselves shot only 29% (16-for-55) for the contest and were outrebounded by the Toros, 56-52. Nonetheless, they pulled out the win due to their hounding defense.

The victory over CSUDH, a California Collegiate Athletic Association member (CCAA), was the second victory against the Toros this season and was their third victory over a CCAA member this year, marking the first time Azusa Pacific ever posted 3 wins over CCAA teams in a season.

For the Cougars, junior Kelly Speas led the way with 19 points, including 13 in the second half, although she was just 4-for-14 from the field. Jessica Herman added 11 points and a game-high 11 boards, while sophomore Amy Lemm had 11 points, 9 in the first half, and 10 rebounds.

"Our offense will come," said Herman. "We tried to fluster their front-court and made it a goal to out-rebound them. We weren't intimidated by their size (the Toros go 6-4, 6-2, 5-11). We just took it to the hole."

The Cougars won the game in the first half with a zone defense, building an 18-point half-time lead and holding the Toros to just 12 points, including just 8 through 18-plus minutes. CS Dominguez Hills shot just 14% (5-for-36) in the first half and went 11 minutes without scoring, missing 15 consecutive shots. The Cougars outscored the Toros 12-0 over that 11-minute span to assume a 30-8 cushion. Azusa Pacific could have stretched their lead even more, but made only 7-of-14 free throw attempts.

CS Dominguez Hills was led by Devyn Johnson who tallied 16 points and 8 rebounds, and Emily Hart who chipped in 10 points.