SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Which bench you sat on during Tuesday's night game greatly affected your point of view. Either Azusa Pacific's defense was masterful, or Cal State San Bernardino's shooting was as chilly as the temperature inside the Coyote's home Coussoulis Arena. Whatever it was, no one can deny the Cougars' convincing 72-63 nonconference victory over CS San Bernardino.
Freshman Catherine Solorio tossed in a career- and team-high 16 points to lead the Cougars, who cruised out to comfortable 34-19 cushion at the half. While Azusa Pacific was converting 14-of-30 (.467) first half shots, the Coyotes were burying themselves in the snow with an ice-cold 7-for-26 (.269) performance in the first 20 minutes of play. Azusa Pacific took advantage of San Bernardino's shooting woes and kept the Coyotes at bay.
Sophomore center Jennifer Barbone chipped in 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting to aid the Cougar cause. Senior point guard Kelly Speas, a 3-year starter who was benched in the Cougars' last contest vs. Pomona-Pitzer, returned to the starting line-up tonight and added 10 points and a game- and season-high 9 assists.
With the win, Azusa Pacific remains undefeated on the road this season, winning all 3 games away from the Canyon City, all against NCAA Division II foes.
