AZUSA, CALIF. -- Azusa Pacific got the new season off to a fabulous start with an entertaining 86-82 victory over a very good team from The Masterâs College, which now features former 2-time Big West Conference Player of the Year Erin Buescher, a transfer from UCSB
 
On this night, though, the Cougars had a star of their own, Brazilian standout guard Jaqueline Godoy (Sao Paulo, Brazil), who canned 22 points in her Cougar debut, including a pair that came off free throws with 1:42 left in the game that gave the Cougars an 81-80 lead they would not relinquish.
 
In a game that featured 18 lead changes and 9 ties, Azusa Pacific had to rally from a 10-point first-half deficit with Godoy on the bench in early foul trouble Senior center Jennifer Barbone accepted the responsibility with 10 first-half points to pull the Cougars to within 3 at 43-40 at the intermission. Barbone finished with 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
 
Meanwhile All-American Allison Box, who was held 4 first- half points, caught fire in the second half and buried a pair of treys in the final 8 minutes, both giving the Cougars a
lead at the time. Box finished with 15 points and a team-high 8 rebounds.
 
Buescher led TMC with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists in 35 minutes of play.