AZUSA, Calif. -- Senior center
Danny Rosales scored 6 of his game-high 15 points during a 21-5 Cougar run to lead the NAIA’s No. 25-ranked Azusa Pacific to a 95-60 nonconference victory over Midland Lutheran College Saturday night at the Felix Event Center.
Rosales, who also collected a game-high 10 rebounds, recorded his third straight double-double, the first 3 of his career, while leading Azusa Pacific to its eighth consecutive victory.
“Right now I just feel strong making my moves and rebounding,” said Rosales. “My confidence is so high at the moment; I don’t think anyone can stop me. Therefore, I have confidence in my moves.”
Along with Rosales, 5 different Cougars scored in double figures. Senior Brett Michel chipped in with 14 points while junior Larry English and sophomore forward Lance Soderberg each had 13. Freshman Brice Prather added 10 points off the bench.
Over the past 3 games, Rosales is averaging 14.7 points and 10 rebounds and combined with fellow frontlineman Soderberg, the duo are averaging 26.7 points and 16 rebounds.
“Instead of guarding just 1 big man now, opponents are having to guard to 2,” added Rosales. “When I get the ball on the block, if I can’t see my shot, I look for Lance and vice versa.”
With Azusa Pacific up 45-36 early in the second half, the Cougars tallied 21 of the game’s next 26 points to run out to a 66-41 lead with just under 11 minutes to play. From there Midland Lutheran could cut the deficit to no fewer than 19 points the rest of the way.
Rosales scored 5 straight points late in the first half to allow Azusa Pacific to move out to a 39-31 halftime cushion. Though the Cougars never trailed in the game they couldn’t shake the Warriors for the first 17 minutes of the contest. In fact, Midland Lutheran was still within a deuce at 25-23 with 5:35 in the half. Missing 20-of-30 shots and 11 turnovers didn’t help the Cougar cause in the opening half.
Azusa Pacific puts its winning streak to the test when the Cougars return to the defense of their GSAC title on Tuesday (Dec. 30) in Azusa against the NAIA’s No. 14-ranked Christian Heritage College.
“I think we can win the conference again,” said Rosales. “Everyone is playing together right now, and everyone knows their role.”
With tonight’s victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 10-3 on the season while Midland Lutheran, which visits the University of La Verne on Monday to complete its California tour, falls to 7-7.
