The NAIA's No. 9-ranked Azusa Pacific avenged its worst conference loss in 15 years with a thrilling come-from-behind 77-69 overtime victory at The Master's. The victory not only solidifies the Cougars hold on first place in the GSAC, it, perhaps more importantly, gives the Cougars an emotional edge by avenging a 100-72 loss suffered at the hands of the Mustangs back on Jan. 4 in Azusa.

"This was a huge win for us," said Cougar coach Bill Odell. "We were together this time. When The Master's beat us last time we were missing 2 key frontline players, and we were not who we are now. Our guys know this is who we really are, and I think this victory means a little more to them than maybe some others."

The Master's, which led 32-28 at halftime, controlled play throughout much of the game, thwarting each Cougar run at every corner while maintaining a manageable 4- to 8-point lead throughout much of the night. The Mustangs led by as much at 10 points in each half, including a 47-37 cushion with 15 minutes left in regulation. However, Azusa Pacific turned the game around at that point with a 24-9 run that resulted in the Cougars' biggest lead to that point at 61-56 following a Josh Dillon lay-up with just 6 minutes to play.

The Master's responded again and held Azusa Pacific without a field goal over the final 5 minutes of regulation and jumped back into the lead at 64-63 following a Ryan Reed lay-up with 55 seconds left. Azusa Pacific's Larry English was fouled on the ensuing possession but made just 1 of 2 free throws to knot the game at 64 with 38 seconds remaining. The Master's held the ball for one last chance to win but Reed missed the potential game-winning jumper, and the Cougars headed off to the second OT contest in the past 5 games.

In the extra frame, the Cougars went on a 9-2 run with freshman Mike Hornbuckle burying a jumper to give the Cougars a 69-66 lead. Sophomore center Brice Prather then came up with a steal that led to a Colton Cornfoot fast-break lay-up and an insurmountable 71-66 cushion with 1:56 left in the game.

Lance Soderberg led Azusa Pacific with 18 points, 12 of which came after halftime including a game-ending dunk that put the exclamation point on a rather significant victory.

"This was a war," said Odell, "an all-out war. We had to fight and be mentally tough. Both teams battled hard and came after each other. We're a little beat up, but it was a terrific game. Neither team would give up. In the end, I think it was our defense that pulled us through."

English finished with 17 points and 4 assists, while Prather chipped in with 14 points, including 10 in the first half.

The Master's was paced by Lavar Simmons game-highs of 23 points and 13 rebounds. However, Reed, who came into the game averaging nearly 20 points in conference play, was held to just 7, missing 7 of 9 shots.

"Hornbuckle did a great job on Reed tonight," Odell added, "and when we gave Mike a rest, Jeff Bates and Josh Dillon were up to the task frustrating Reed on the offensive end.

Azusa Pacific struggled with its own shot throughout the entire first half, missing 23 of 32 shots for an icy 28% clip from the floor. Soderberg, English and Prather were the only Cougars to score through the first 18 minutes of the game, combining for Azusa Pacific first 22 points.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific pushes its season-best winning streak to 10 straight and has not lost since that fateful 28-point shellacking put on it by The Master's 4 weeks ago. Combined with Tuesday's win at Westmont, the Cougars, who improve to 19-5 overall, 11-2 in the GSAC, collected 2 key victories on the GSAC road this week.

"We knew the second round of the GSAC schedule did not do us any favors with whom we had to play on the road," said Odell, whose Cougars still have to go to Concordia and Fresno Pacific. "To win at 2 very difficult places this week is huge for us. It shows the character of this team."

The Master's falls to 13-8 overall, 7-5 in the GSAC.