AZUSA, CALIF. – The NAIA's No. 7-ranked Azusa Pacific took care of business when it needed to, disposing of last-place Vanguard 80-66 Tuesday night in Azusa. The Cougars now hold a 2-game advantage over No. 4-ranked Biola in the conference standings heading into Thursday's match-up with the Eagles. Biola lost to Westmont in La Mirada this evening, 64-62.
 
The Lions closed to within 16 points at 48-32 with 14:26 remaining in the game, but freshman Brett Michel and senior Justin Leslie hit consecutive 3-pointers to give the Cougars their largest lead at 54-32 with 13:49 to play.
 
Leslie scored a game-high 16 points and was one of 4 Cougars to grab 7 rebounds. Michel added 15 points and 7 boards, while Steve McIlwain scored 11 points. Gary Dredge was a perfect 2-for-2 from the field and the free-throw line, scoring 6 points and notching 7 rebounds in less than 14 minutes off the bench.
 
With Vanguard hanging close by at 12-10 just over 8 minutes into the contest, the Cougars burned the nets with a trio of 3-pointers in a 2-minute, 12-second span to spur an 11-4 run that gave the Cougars a 23-14 lead with 9:19 to play in the half. Azusa Pacific never led by fewer than 7 points the rest of the way.
 
With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 9-1 in the GSAC and 22-2 overall, while Vanguard drops to 1-9 in GSAC, 5-16 overall.