AZUSA, CALIF. – Azusa Pacific used a 12-1 run midway through the first half to blow open a close game and went on to post an 84-60 GSAC victory at Fresno Pacific, Tuesday night. 

The victory, which is Azusa Pacific's 19^th straight over Fresno Pacific since 1992, keeps the Cougars in a first place tie in the GSAC with Christian Heritage.   (Cal Baptist fell out of first place with a 1-point loss at Point Loma Nazarene.)

With the Cougars leading 21-20 with just under 10 minutes left in the first half, junior Anthony Haggins spurred the run with a 3-pointer for his first bucket of the game.  Senior center Justin
Leslie followed with a dunk, and sophomore guard Caleb Gervin put back a Haggins' miss.  Sophomore guard Jeff Staniland then nailed a jumper to cap a run of 9 straight Cougar points in 2 minutes that put Azusa Pacific up 30-20 with 7:23 remaining.  Junior guard Steve McIlwain capped the run with a trey that gave the Cougars their largest lead in the first half at 33-21.

The Cougars led 41-31 at the half and never let the Sunbirds any closer than 7 in the second half after FPU opened the frame with a trey.  Azusa Pacific put together a 10-2 run early in the second half to assume a bulging 57-40 lead with 13:07 left in the game.  From there the rout was on.
 
For the fifth time in GSAC play this season, Azusa Pacific used a balanced effort to collect the win.  Leslie led the Cougars in scoring for the second straight game, tallying a team-high 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season and his second in conference play.  Junior forward John Bourne notched 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.  Staniland had 16 points while Gervin finished with 15 on 6-for-11 shooting.  In only his second game back after missing 2 weeks of play, Haggins registered 9 points and a game-high 5 steals.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 18-2 overall and 5-1 in the GSAC.