IRVINE, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific out-scored the NAIA's No. 23-ranked Concordia, 17-10, in overtime to claim an 85-78 win in a Golden State Athletic Conference contest Saturday night at the CU Arena. The victory pulled the Cougars even with Concordia, Vanguard and Point Loma Nazarene for a share of first place in the GSAC. All 4 teams have 5-2 conference records.

Azusa Pacific (14-4, 5-2) used a 8-0 run to take an 83-76 lead late in the overtime period. The Eagles led 73-70 with 3:41 in OT, but was 2-for-7 from the field over the final 3 minutes of play.

Concordia (15-4, 5-2) led 55-50 with 6:22 to play, but the Cougars quickly came back with an 8-0 run, sparked by Jessica Herman's six points, which in turn gave Azusa Pacific a 58-55 lead with 4:21 to play.

All-GSAC guard Amy Lemm netted a pair of free-throws to help APU take a 68-66 lead with just 16 seconds remaining in regulation. CU's Lindsay King missed a 3-pointer to win the ball game, but Emma Covington snagged the rebound and was fouled on the put-back. Covington sank both free-throws to tie the game at 68-68 and force overtime.

Azusa Pacific pounded the ball inside all night with centers Jennifer Barbone and Herman combining for 33 points. Allison Box had 16 because of 4 treys, and Lemm finished with 17.

Jaime Gast led all scorers with 33 points and 13 rebounds. King chipped in 13 points and Taryn Commins and Priscilla Bendik combined evenly for 20.

Azusa Pacific, which picked up only its second win in the past 11 visits to the CU Arena, led 28-26 at he half and out-shot CU, 44% to 40% for the game.