AZUSA, Calif. -- The NAIA's No. 25-ranked Azusa Pacific used a balanced attack and some hot-shooting to roll to a 107-85 nonconference victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Wednesday night in the Felix Event Center.
Six different Cougars scored in double figures, led by, for the second straight game, sophomore forward Lance Soderberg, who dropped in a game-high 17 points. Senior guard Ryan Dillon added 15 points, including 11 in the first half when the Cougars scooted out to a 57-42 halftime lead.
The Cougars used a 12-3 run capped by a Soderberg trey to take control of the game at 32-19 midway through the first half. Five minutes later they went on a 13-3 run in which Dillon and senior forward Brett Michel combined for 3 consecutive 3-point baskets to push the Azusa Pacific cushion to 53-33 in the closing minutes of the half.
From there the game was academic, with all 13 Cougars who played tallying points and 10 different Cougars getting at least 10 minutes playing time in the game. Azusa Pacific led by as much as 30 on a couple of occasions in the second half, the last coming at 91-61 with 8:13 left to play.
Michel, who is known for his all-around game, put together one of his best efforts since the opening week of the season in early November, finishing with 11 points, a game-high 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in just 25 minutes of action. Freshman forward Spencer Foster came off the bench to add 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while collecting 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
As a team, the Cougars shot a sizzling 60% (40-for-67) from the floor, which included an impressive 23-for-37 (62%) clip in the opening half. Azusa Pacific eclipsed the century mark for the third time this season and the second in the past 3 games.
Southwestern Assemblies was led by Josh Daniels, who tossed in 16 points in only his second game back with the Lions this season.
Azusa Pacific, which has now won 50 of 56 games in the Felix Event Center since its opening 3 years ago this week, improves to 7-3 on the season and pushes its modest winning streak to 5 straight. Southwestern Assemblies falls to 4-11.
