MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- The NAIA's No. 3-ranked Azusa Pacific kicked off the 7th Annual Cruzin Classic with an 82-66 victory over NCAA Division III Adrian (Mich.) Saturday afternoon on the campus of Barry University.

Twelve different players scored for the Cougars, and all 13 players who suited up was in action for at least 8 minutes. The scoring was led by a quartet in double-digits that included senior Scott Zea, who scored 14 points in 21 minutes of action. Azusa Pacific shot exactly 50 percent from the field (29-for-58) and led by as many as 33 points before Adrian closed out the game with a 26-10 run over the final 8 minutes to bring the final margin closer.

Junior Khalif Ford and senior Demario Butler each tallied 12 points, and senior Tristan King added 10 points and a game-high 6 assists.

The Cougar defense blocked 11 shots, with junior Chidi Ajufo leading the way with 4 blocks, including 1 after slamming home a lob from freshman Mike Danielian that gave Azusa Pacific a 69-37 lead with just over 8 minutes remaining in the game. A pressuring Cougar defense surrendered just 9 points through the first 12 minutes of the second half before Adrian guard Andy Kubish knocked down 4 consecutive 3-pointers to spark the Bulldog's late run.

After trading baskets to start the game, Ford completed a 10-0 run with back-to-back layups on the break and an assist to senior Brice Prather that gave the Cougars a 12-2 lead 6 minutes into the game. After Adrian cut the lead to 18-10, Azusa Pacific scored 10 points of a 17-3 run from the charity stripe to take its largest lead of the half at 22 points with a 35-13 advantage with about 4 minutes to play in the opening half.

With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 8-1 on the season, while Adrian drops to 0-6. The Cougars, the first GSAC men's team to participate in the Cruzin Classic, return to action when they meet Montana State-Northern Monday at noon Eastern.