AZUSA, Calif. – Spearheaded by a career night from junior
Ladrick Simon, Azusa Pacific used a 25-5 run midway through the opening half to blow open the game then cruise to an easy 109-40 victory over visiting Life Bible College in a non-conference game in Azusa.
Simon, making his first career start, poured in a career-high 34 points, hitting 15-of-20 shots from the field. He also tallied game-highs of 14 rebounds, 2 blocks and 5 steals. Simon's 34-point, 14-rebound effort is the most points and rebounds by a Cougar this year.
After shaking off a sluggish start in which Life Bible took a 4-3 lead, the Cougars had an 11-8 advantage with nearly 7 minutes gone by when the 6' 5" athletic Simon began taking advantage of the undersized Warriors. Simon scored 12 of his 18 first half points in a 4:20 span to aid a 17-1 Azusa Pacific run that opened up a 28-9 Cougar lead.
The Cougars carried a 40-18 lead into the locker room, then exploded for 30 of the game's next 33 points to start the second half. During an 11:16 stretch that spanned from 2:06 left in the first half to 9:10 into the second half, the Cougars held Life Bible to just 5 free throws and no field goals while outscoring the Warriors 36-5.
Simon joined fellow juniors
Mark Gulina,
Scott Blake and
Matt Moore in the starting line-up, all of whom were making their first career starts. The junior quartet combined for 62 of the Cougars' 109 points, 27 of their 48 rebounds, 13 of 26 assists, 9 of 20 steals and all 4 of the Cougars' blocked shots.
The Cougars shot 54.4% (43-for-79) from the field, while limiting the Warriors to just 28.3% (13-for-46). Life Bible committed 27 turnovers, which the Cougars converted into 43 points.
Senior
Anthony Haggins added 13 points in 14 minutes off the bench. Gulina tallied 12 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists. Moore chipped in with 10 pionts, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, and junior
Caleb Gervin finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 16 minutes.
With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 16-4 overall. Life Bible falls to 1-18.