AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, moved one step closer to its third straight GSAC title as the Cougars clinched at least a tie for the 2004 crown with an 8-1 win over Point Loma Nazarene.

With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 21-0 overall, 6-0 GSAC. Point Loma Nazarene, ranked No. 11 in the NAIA, falls to 11-10, 3-3.

Coincidently, the Cougars can clinch the title outright with win against the Sea Lions April 16 in San Diego. The Cougars currently have a 2-game lead with 2 to play.

Azusa Pacific took 2 of 3 doubles matches then cruised through singles play taking all 6 matches.

Singles
1 – Sam Fletcher (APU) d. Christian Gerloff 7-5, 6-2
2 – Boris Bakalov (APU) d. Johannes Vance 6-0, 6-2
3 – David Goodman (APU) d. Matt Copland 6-2, 6-4
4 – Adam Davidson (APU) d. Zac Markham 6-0, 5-7, 6-3
5 – Gordon Hong (APU) d. Sean Sand 6-2, 6-1
6 – Tom Jelsma (APU) d. Aaron Pajannan 7-5, 6-2

Doubles
1 – Markham/Gerloff d. Fletcher/Davidson 8-6
2 – Bakalov/Jelsma d. Copland/Pajannan 8-4
3 – Hong/Goodman d. Sand/Vance 8-5