AZUSA, CALIF. -- Azusa Pacific head coach Bill Odell, who is in his eighth year as the head of the Cougar basketball program, earned his 200th career win as the NAIA's No. 7-ranked Azusa Pacific routed Claremont-Mudd, 103-69.
"For me the 200th win means we have sustained a solid program for the last 8 years," said Odell. "We have made it a goal to get better every year, and to accomplish something like this means we are doing that."
Coaching the 256th game of his career, (his career record is 200-56 -- .781), Odell watched his Cougars get off to a shaky start, but Azusa Pacific eventually got on track. The Cougars last game was an emotional 75-68 victory at Cal State Bakersfield, and in the beginning of tonight's contest, the Cougars look drained. Claremont-Mudd took a 17-15 lead, but the Cougars closed the half with a 34-16 run.
"We weren't ready to play, and they are a good team, " said Odell. "I didn't want to go to our presses, but I had to, and when we did that, we started to pick it up."
UCLA transfer Kevin Daley scored 13 points in the first half for the Cougars. Junior center Justin Leslie chipped in with 10 points.
"We are on a roll right now because everyone is stepping up," said senior all-American guard T.J. Walker. "Our chemistry is coming together, and we can't wait to get on the court more often when GSAC rolls around."
The Cougars started the second half with a 13-4 run, thanks to a pair of treys from Leslie and senior guard Jason Boswell.
"This team is starting to gain maturity," said Daley. "Bakersfield was a good test and we kept our composure."
At the 12-minute mark, Odell started putting in reserves, and they got into the scoring. Freshman guard Ryan Smith scored 7 points and had 3 steals and senior center Matt Reed tossed in 9 more points off the bench on 4-of-5 shooting.
"We are starting to get accustomed to each other," said Odell.
Daley finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, and Leslie had 17 points and pulled down 7 rebounds. Boswell and Walker each had 12 points, with Walker dishing out 8 assists, all in the first half. Sophomore guard Corey Smith added 10 off the bench.
Odell, who won his first game Nov. 26, 1991 against Claremont-Mudd's sister school Pomona-Pitzer, has turned around the once-dormant Cougar program, leading them to 6 straight GSAC titles, and a perpetual stay in the NAIA Top 10.
"Winning 200 feels great, but I just want our team to continue to get better this season," said Odell.
The Cougars return to action on Weds. Jan.6 when they host Bethany in their final game before GSAC play begins.
