AZUSA, Calif. -- Senior All-GSAC Stephanie Patten scored a game-high 23 points to lift the NAIA's No. 22-ranked Azusa Pacific to an easy 84-62 GSAC win over visiting Cal Baptist Tuesday night.
 
Patten hit 11-of-15 shots from the floor and also grabbed 12 rebounds to record her fourth double-double of the season.
 
The Cougars jumped out to a 14-4 lead 7:33 into the game, then never allowed the Lancers within 9 points until taking in a 43-32 lead into the locker room. In the first half alone, the Cougars induced the Lancers into 15 turnovers and limited them to just 30% shooting from the floor.
 
"We did a really good job of working the ball around and being patient," said Azusa Pacific interim head coach Matt Elofson.  "We were able to wait for the good shot, and that enabled us to shoot for a high percentage.  Most of our points tonight were created defensively as we got lay ups off of turnovers all night."
 
The Lancers started the second half with a short 7-2 run to climb within 6 (45-39) just 2:08 into the second half.  From there, the Cougars scored 16 straight points in 4 minutes to blow open the game, taking a 22-point (61-39) lead with 12:28 to play.
 
The Lancers got no closer than 15 points the rest of the way as the Cougars limited the Lancers to just 29.8% shooting while forcing 25 turnovers.
 
On a night when the regular starters other than Patten were struggling, the Cougars received huge support from the bench tonight as sophomore Nicolette Dresback added 11 points and 4 rebounds, and junior Marcene Guerrero chipped in with 10.  In all, the Cougars' bench outscored the Lancers' bench, 36-12.
 
With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 13-4 overall, 7-2 in the GSAC.  Cal Baptist falls to 9-9 overall, 3-6 in the GSAC.