SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- On the day Azusa Pacific moved back into the NAIA Top 25, the Cougars also opted to take over sole possession of first place in the GSAC, downing upstart
Westmont, 63-55.
 
The No. 24-ranked Cougars entered the game tied with Westmont atop the conference standings with perfect 3-0 marks. Yet, thanks to Cougar post players Stephanie Patten and Jennifer Barbone, Azusa Pacific methodically moved away from a 32-32 halftime tie to win the game and improve to 4-0 in the GSAC, their best conference start in program history.
 
Patten and Barbone combined for 34 points, including 22 in the second half. On a night that the Cougar transition game was limited by Westmont's fine defense, Azusa Pacific turned instead to its half-court game and took advantage of its muscle under the basket. Patten and Barbone were a combined 14-for-18 at the free throw line.
 
The 6-foot Patten finished with a career-high 21 points to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds.  Barbone, who at 6-foot-3 is the tallest Cougar ever to play, registered 13 points on 4-for-7 shooting.
 
All-American Jacqueline Godoy, who led the Cougar charge in the first half with 11 points and 5 rebounds, finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
 
The game was a victim of California's current energy crisis. The Westmont campus was hit with a rolling back-out just 3 minutes prior to tip-off. As a result, the contest was delayed 75 minutes and didn't tip off until 6:45 p.m.
 
Azusa Pacific has now won 4 straight and improves to 8-5 overall. Westmont falls to 10-6 overall.