FRESNO, Calif. -- Sophomores
Nate Pratt and
Kasey Myers each registered career highs while combining for 25 points to lead the NAIA's No. 5-ranked Azusa Pacific to a 73-54 victory over Fresno Pacific.
In fact, the Cougar bench salvaged what was otherwise a rather sluggish performance for a team that has now won 20 of its past 21 games. The Azusa Pacific reserves out-scored Fresno Pacific's back-ups, 34-5, and it was Pratt and Myers who led the way.
With the score deadlocked at 9-9, Pratt and Myers scored the game's next 13 points to give Azusa Pacific a 22-9 lead that it would not relinquish. In fact, Myers scored 6 of his 8 points in succession, which included only his second 3-pointer of the season. Pratt then took over, coming off the bench to pour in 12 of his career-high 17 points in a 5-minute sprint, making all 3 of his shots, which included a pair of treys, and all 4 free throw attempts.
The Cougars led 33-19 at halftime after holding the Sunbirds to just 27% (8-for-30) shooting through the first 20 minutes, and though they never surrendered the double-digit cushion, the lead was cut to 10 at 41-31 with just over 14 minutes left in the game. However, a Pratt bomb, his fourth trey of the night, ignited a 13-2 Cougar run that put Azusa Pacific out of reach 60-38 with just over 6 minutes to play.
Senior center Danny Rosales added 12 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Senior guard Ryan Dillon was the only other Cougar in double figures with 10 points.
Azusa Pacific offset some fine shooting (27-for-55 – 49%) with lousy ball handling, committing a season-high 27 turnovers, 23 of which came from the starting 5. Fortunately, the Cougars played some rather impressive defense, holding the Sunbirds to just 54 points, marking the sixth time in 14 GSAC games this season that the foe has tallied less than 60 points on Azusa Pacific.
With the victory, which was the Cougars' 26th straight over Fresno Pacific, Azusa Pacific improves to 22-4 overall, 13-1 in the GSAC. The Sunbirds fall to 12-12 overall, 6-8 in the GSAC.
