AZUSA, Calif. – There was no let-down following a high-energy, fast-paced loss last night.

Azusa Pacific bounced back from its first defeat of the season with a convincing 92-69 victory over NAIA-rival Westminster College of Salt Lake City.

The Cougars wasted no time eliminating any doubt as to whether or not anything was left in the tank following a 96-89 loss to Cal Poly Pomona. Led by Jaclyn Rice and Sarah Leathers, the Cougars made 13 of its first 18 shots, including 6 of its first 7 from the 3-point arch, to jettison to a 33-10 lead midway through the first half.

“I was very worried about our energy level coming into the game,” said Cougar coach Danelle Liles, “that’s why I didn’t come out with a more aggressive style of defense. Our girls, thought, have a mentality to give it all you have from the get-go, and it’s all 5 on the court, not just 2 or 3 of the players.”

The Cougars enjoyed runs of 10-2 and 18-4 to put together a commanding 27-point cushion at 41-14 following a Lindsey West 3-pointer.

Azusa Pacific used a fast attack by turning 14 Griffin first-half turnovers into easy transition baskets. When the Cougars did set up in their half-court offense, Leathers and Rice banged home treys from a variety of spots. And they weren’t the only ones. Five of the 7 Cougars who played (3 are out with injuries), made at least one 3-pointer.

West and Kelsey Hudson combined for 50 points with West tallying 26 and Hudson matching her career-high with 24 to go along with a team-high 8 rebounds. Rice added 14 points and finished with 4 3-point field goals.

“All of our post players can shoot from the outside and dribble drive,” said Liles. “We try to utilize what they do best and it showed tonight. Right now we’re playing with a lot of confidence.”

With the victory, Azusa Pacific, which is ranked No. 19 in the NAIA, improves to 3-1 on the season. Westminster falls to 2-5.