LA MIRADA, CALIF. – Azusa Pacific head coach Bill Odell believed Anthony Haggins would help the Cougars this time around – hejust didn't realize how big of an impact Haggins could make.
 
Haggins, who missed the first Biola-Azusa Pacific game back onJan. 4 (a 78-67 Biola win in Azusa) came off the bench to score 13 points and then blocked a potential game-tying shot with 3 seconds left to give the NAIA's No. 7-ranked Azusa Pacific a 77-74 victory over No. 4 Biola before a capacity crowd of 1,856.
 
The victory, which is Azusa Pacific's 14^th in the past 18 meetings with Biola, puts the Cougars 3-games ahead of Biola in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings and nearly eliminates the Eagles from the hunt for their first-ever GSAC crown.  Meanwhile, the Cougars, who are gunning for an unprecedented ninth straight GSAC title, maintain their 1-game lead over No. 11-ranked Christian Heritage, which is currently second in the GSAC.  Ironically, Biola, which has lost 2 straight this week (both at home), can now do the Cougars a favor Saturday night when it visits Christian Heritage in an attempt to salvage what has become a lost week.
 
Azusa Pacific has played its best basketball on the road this season and was true to form tonight.  Down by 4 at the half (39-35), the Cougars opened the second half with a 9-2 run to take a 44-41 lead shortly after intermission.  Behind Strong, Biola rallied to even the game at 45-45.  From there the 2 teams traded leads 14 times until John Bourne gave the Cougars the lead for good on an 18-foot bucket to give the Cougars a 73-72 lead with 1:13 to play. 
 
The Cougars were up 75-74 with 15 seconds left when Caleb Gervin rebounded Biola guard Rashaun Thomas' attempt at a go-ahead bucket.  Gervin was fouled but made only 1 of 2 free throws, leaving Biola with 12 seconds to produce a game-tying or winning shot. The Eagles went for the tie and turned to their go-to guy Strong, who had produced 29 points up to that moment.  However, Strong was rejected in his bid for his 31st point and an overtime game when Haggins streaked across the key to registerthe Cougars' seventh blocked shot on the night.  Cougar guard Steve McIlwain secured the loose ball and was immediately fouled, making 1 free throw for the final margin of victory.
 
Gervin led a balanced Cougar effort with 20 points.  Bourne chipped in 18 on 8-for-11 shooting, including a 4-for-4 clip in the second half as well as a key 3-point basket during the Cougars' run early in the second half. Freshman Brett Michel tossed in 13 points.  Haggins who missed the first Biola-Azusa Pacific game (a 78-67 Biola win) back on Jan. 4, came off the bench to tally 13 points, including 10 in the second half.
 
"The amount of poise we had coming down to the end of the game was a big step up for us," said Cougar center Justin Leslie.  "Whenever they answered us, we'd come right back and give it tothem.  The way they acted at our place in the game last month, there is nothing sweeter than this.  It is so much fun to be a part ofthis."
 
Azusa Pacific was nearly flawless in its play, making 51% (26-for-51) of its shots on foreign territory while committing just 12 turnovers.
 
Azusa Pacific, which leads the nation with 23 victories, has now won 9 straight and improves to 23-2 overall, 10-1 in the GSAC.  Biola falls to 18-4 overall, 7-4 in the GSAC.