AZUSA, CALIF. – Some things never change. After dropping its first GSAC game to the NAIA's No. 2-ranked Biola 48 hours ago, 8-time defending GSAC champion Azusa Pacific moved back into a tie with the Eagles in the conference standings following an 80-70 victory over Point Loma Saturday night. Biola lost to Christian Heritage in La Mirada, 78-66.
 
A year ago Biola gained a 1-game advantage with a victory over the Cougars, then handed it right back with a loss at Christian Heritage just 2 days later, one of 3 Eagle lossesthat allowed the Cougars to win an unprecedented 8th straight conference championship despite being swept by the Eagles.
 
"The GSAC is great – every night is a battle," said junior guard Steve McIlwain, a newcomer to the conference as a transfer from Canada College in Redwood City,Calif. "We have 10 teams in our conference, and every team is out to beat us. It's a great conference, it's fun to play in, and you have to bring your 'A' game every night."
 
It was not an easy task for the Cougars, as the Crusaders simply would not let the Cougars pull away until the final minutes. McIlwain sank both 3-pointers he attempted in the second half in the final 10 minutes of the game, and John Bourne and Justin Leslie each notched double-doubles to lead the Cougar offense.
 
"Steve's two threes in the second half gave us control of the game," said Bourne, who finished with a team-high 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
 
"John works very hard and takes advantage of his strength down low," said Cougar head coach Bill Odell. "He has worked himself into a really good ballplayer. He has made the most with what he has."
 
Leslie tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Jeff Staniland helped the Cougar offense with his deadeye shooting from 3-point range, sinking 3 of 3 attempts in a 14-point effort.
 
Azusa Pacific led 50-40 with less than 15 minutes remaining when Staniland had a hand in 3 straight treys in a 9-2 run that gave the Cougars a 59-42 lead with 13:16 to play. Staniland scored the first two, then dished off to freshman Brett Michel, who nailed 3 of his 10 points.
 
However, Point Loma went on to score 11 straight points to cut the lead to 59-53, part of an 18-5 run that brought the Crusaders to within 4 points at 64-60 with 7:43 remaining. McIlwain then scored his first points of the game on a 3-pointer created by an assist from Staniland.