AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific used a 36-2 run and held Cal State Hayward to just 1-for-19 shooting over the final 13:30 of the first half en route to a 77-39 rout of the Pioneers in a nonconference women's basketball game Saturday evening in Azusa.
For the game, the Cougar defense held CS Hayward to just 26 percent (14-for-55) shooting and pounded the Pioneers on the boards, out-rebounding them 55-28.
"To play well we have to play good defense and rebound," said Cougar head coach Danielle Jorgenson. "Tonight we did that. We just needed to get into our game which is playing as a team instead of as individuals."
All 10 Cougars played at least 10 minutes, and 9 Azusa Pacific players scored, while 4 tallied double figures. Freshman guard Charlene Simril scored a game and career-high 15 points, on the strength of 3 treys. Fellow freshman Catherine Solorio and center Alison Carr each chipped in with 13 points. Jessica Herman led all players with 12 rebounds.
For the Pioneers, guard Carrie Billone was the lone player in double figures with 12 points, all on 3-pointers.
CS Hayward came out sizzling, jumping out to a 16-6 lead in the opening 7 minutes of play, thanks to 3 treys by Billone. The Pioneers made 6 of their first 8 shots during that stretch. However, a pair of Danna Wilder free throws spurred a 16-0 Cougar run to give Azusa Pacific a 22-16 advantage with 8 minutes remaining in the half. After a Heidi Petz field goal ended a 5 minute Pioneer scoring drought, the Cougars went on a 20-0 run to close out the half, as CS Hayward went another 8 minutes without scoring a point.
With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 10-4, while CS Hayward falls to 6-5. Azusa Pacific kicks off Golden State Athletic Conference play Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. when it hosts Southern California College.
