SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIF. -- Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 25 in the NAIA Preseason poll, expected to have an easy time against second-year program Cal State Monterey Bay in the Friday's opening round of the BonAppetit Invitational at Bethany College. But the Cougars surprisingly found themselves down by 6 points (12-6) 3 minutes into the game and were still down by 5 (15-10) a few minutes later. Wholesale line-up changes didn't seem to help, so the Cougars opted for a bombing expedition, raining 3-pointers which turned their fortunes, and led Azusa Pacific to a 103-75 victory over the Otters.

The Cougars canned a season-high 12 treys, including 9 in the first half and 4 straight that spurred an 18-0 run to give them a 28-15 cushion with just over 9 minutes left in the half. Ironically, Azusa Pacific was playing without its best 3-point shooter of a year ago, senior Jeremy DeVries, who is out with a with a hip-pointer.

Freshman Corey Smith (San Dimas, Calif./San Dimas HS) led Azusa Pacific with a career-high 17 points, including 11 in the first half when he nailed a trio of 3-pointers. Junior Jason Boswell added 12, all from 3-point range, including a pair during the Cougars' 18-0 run.

"I just kept looking for an open shot," said Smith, who entered the game having made just 5 of his previous 21 3-point attempts. "I wasn't thinking of dominating or turning the game around. It feels good, though, to have a good night shooting from the perimeter."

All 12 Cougars who played scored, as Azusa Pacific eclipsed the century mark for the third time in 6 games this season. Senior Andy Newman, who grew-up in nearby Fremont, Calif., came off the bench to add 11 points and a career-high 8 assists. Junior T.J. Walker chipped in 10 points and 5 assists, and Micah Sullivan added 11 points.

"Hopefully, this gets the monkey off my back," said Newman, who is an off-guard by nature but is also playing the point for the first time in his college career. "It's hard to adjust to playing point for part of the game and then off-guard the next. But things are coming around, and this game certainly helps my confidence."

Cal State Monterey Bay was paced by Todd Huemoeller and Rashaan Chavis, who each had 14 points.

Azusa Pacific led 52-29 at the half and was never in danger in the second half, leading the entire way by 22 or more points.

With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 6-0, its fourth best start in program history. The Otters fall to 0-4.