AZUSA, Calif. -- Senior All-GSAC Stephanie Patten scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to lead the NAIA's No. 23-ranked Azusa Pacific to an 82-60 win over Westmont College in the regular-season finale.
 
The win is the Cougars' fifth straight, giving them momentum heading into Thursday's opening round game of the 2002 GSAC Postseason Tournament. The Cougars will host The Master's College at 5:30 p.m.
 
On the strength of its 3-point shooting and motion offense, Westmont assumed an early 17-9 lead 7 minutes into the game.  Katie Hughes scored 5 of her 7 first-half points in the run.
 
Azusa Pacific rallied behind the play of its second unit.  Reserves Mandy Lindhe and Marcene Guerrero each dropped in 8 first half points as the Cougars went on an 11-1 run to take a 20-18 lead on a Guerrero jumper from the right side.  From there Patten took over, scoring 11 of the next 15 points as Azusa Pacific moved out to a 46-29 lead and never looked back.
 
Westmont, which made 5 of its first 10 shots, was hindered by a cold shooting spell in which the Warriors made just 6-of-23 shots, eventually falling behind by as much as 23 points (60-37).
 
It was senior night in the Felix Event Center and as has been the case the entire season, the Cougar seniors led the way.  Patten was aided by All-GSAC Catherine Solorio's 18 points, which moved her into third place on Azusa Pacific's all-time scoring chart with 1,432 points.
 
Lindhe finished with 11, and All-GSAC Jacqueline Godoy each chipped in with 10 points apiece.  Senior Beth Centlivre playing in the final regular-season home game of her 4-year Azusa Pacific career added 3 points, 4 assists and a game-high 4 steals.
 
"I just wanted to come out and lead my team, and do what I do every night," said Centlivre.  "I didn't want to do anything different.  It was good that my family was here to share this with me.  All I wanted to do was end my career on a good note. I think we are all coming together for the first time this season."
 
With the win, the Cougars improve to 22-7, 16-4.  Westmont falls to 17-12, 11-9.