WHITTIER, Calif. -- The NAIA's No. 16-ranked Azusa Pacific mowed through the GSAC in the regular-season, and the Cougars capped a 17-1 conference record by claiming the postseason tournament championship with a 74-59 victory over Westmont.
 
Both squads clinched the GSAC's automatic bids to next week's NAIA Championship Tournament in Jackson, Tennessee.
 
With Azusa Pacific leading 51-42 with 13:34 remaining, the Cougars went on a 20-8 run over the next 9:45 to take a 71-50 lead with 3:49 left. Stephanie Patten scored a game-high 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the field to lead the Cougars, while Westmont's Michelle Wolski led the Warriors with 13 points and a game-high 9 rebounds.
 
Patten scored the Cougars' first 6 points to help Azusa Pacific to an early 8-2 lead, but Westmont would not let the Cougars push the lead to double digits in the first half. The Warriors came within 32-30 with 2:20 to play in the half, but the Cougars scored 7 of the half's final 9 points to take a 39-32 lead at the break.
 
With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 24-6 on the season. Westmont is now 22-11 overall.