AZUSA, CALIF. – The Felix Event Center concession stands felt a massive rush for Starbucks as the NAIA's No. 9-ranked Azusa Pacific beat Concordia in a 73-58 snoozer Friday night in Azusa. The win moves the Cougars into sole possession of first place in the GSAC for the first time this season, although likely only for 24 hours, as the remainder of conference games will be played Saturday evening.
 
The teams combined to shoot below 40% in the game (44-for-113 – 38.9%), and just 63% (combined 29-for-46) from the free throw line, but the Cougars used a 10-3 run late in the second half to finally put the Eagles away. Five different Cougars scored in the run, but sophomore guard Caleb Gervin dished out assists on 3 of the 4 field goals in the run. Gervin finished with 13 points, 7 assists and 5 steals.
 
"We want to get into the habit of playing everybody hard," said Gervin. "We really should have taken it to this team tonight; sometimes we underestimate teams, but now we have to start stepping it up. It's all mental for us, and sometimes we play like a great team one night, and a mediocre team the next."
 
Junior forward John Bourne sank 11-of-13 free throw attempts to score a game-high 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Senior center Justin Leslie came within 1 point of a double-double, scoring 9 points and grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds to go with 5 blocks. Junior forward Anthony Haggins chipped in with 9 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes of work off the bench. Junior guard Steve McIlwain added 11 points, also off the bench.
 
With 13:55 remaining in the first half, the teams remained deadlocked at 11-11, but some quick ball movement around the floor helped the Cougars reel off 5 quick points and Azusa Pacific never trailed again. Gervin capped another 6-0 run with the first of 2 breakaway dunks in the opening half, giving the Cougars a 24-16 lead with 9:39 to play in the half. The second was sandwiched between a McIlwain trey and 2 of Bourne's 10 first-half points, part of a 7-0 spurt that gave the Cougars their largest lead of the half at 41-27 with 1:21 in the half.
 
"Coming in, I felt I had not been playing up to my potential," said Gervin. "I thought I should contribute some energy to my teammates and the crowd by getting us on a run."
 
With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 19-2 overall and 6-1 in the GSAC.