IRVINE, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific knew that if it was to capture its first Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) crown since 1989, it truly would have to earn it by winning the final 2 regular-season games in what has notoriously been a pair of death traps for the Cougars this decade.

The Cougars found themselves squarely in the snares of that trap, but squirmed their way out for a 74-66 come-from-behind victory over Concordia Tuesday night in Irvine.

Down 58-46 with 9:24 left in the game, Azusa Pacific went on 23-4 run to assume a 69-62 lead with 1:13 left in the game.
The victory is Azusa Pacific's first at Concordia since 1990, snapping a 9-game losing streak on the Eagles' home court.
"Losing all the time here was a monkey on our back," said Azusa Pacific Head Coach Danielle Jorgenson. "Now we have to go to Fresno with the same mentality."

With the win, Azusa Pacific stays in a first-place tie with Southern California College and can clinch at least a share of its first conference title in 10 years with a win at Fresno Pacific Saturday night. However, the Cougars are just 2-9 in Fresno since 1990.

"One of our mottos all year long has been, 'Are we going to play for second?' In the last 8 minutes tonight, I saw in their eyes the will to come back and not lose this game."

Senior center Alison Carr led the Cougar comeback, scoring 13 of her game-high 23 points in the second half, including 8 during the Cougars' final charge. Junior guard Amy Lemm tallied 15 points, including 11 in the second half. She canned a pair of critical 3-pointers, the first with 4:24 left to give Azusa Pacific a 59-58 lead, its first advantage in the second half and then another with 3:20 to give the Cougars a 64-62 lead that they would never relinquish.

"When Lemm made those 2 3-pointers, Concordia had to come out and play defense on her," said Jorgenson. "That allowed us to get back into our offense, the inside game, which what has worked for us all year."

Lemm finished with double-double, grabbing a team and career-high 15 rebounds. Senior guard Kelly Speas added 18 points and made a trio of free throws in the final 56 seconds to ice the victory.

Concordia was paced by Pricilla Bendik's 23 points and 18 rebounds.

With the victory, the Cougars push their season-best winning streak to 6 straight and improve to 21-7 overall and 10-3 in the GSAC. With the loss, Concordia falls to 15-11 overall, 8-5 in the GSAC.