AZUSA, Calif. -- The NAIA’s No. 14-ranked Azusa Pacific poured on early runs at the beginning of each half to collect its first GSAC victory, posting a 76-56 win over Concordia Saturday evening.

After trading baskets to start the contest, junior forward Abby Johnson scored 6 points to spark a 15-0 run that gave the Cougars a 17-2 lead less than 5 minutes into the game. The Cougars conceded the first second-half basket to Concordia, then scored the next 13 points from 5 different scorers to take a commanding 58-34 lead with 14:30 to play in the game.

“This was the first game we played well and unselfishly as a team, so that was really exciting to see, said Cougar head coach Danelle Bishop. “We had a lot of energy, and that created a lot defensively for us.”

Johnson finished with 12 points, all in the first half, on 5-of-6 shooting from the field, while the starters in the backcourt, junior Sarah Leathers and senior Monica Somers each tallied a game-high 14 points.

“Abby is really versatile and athletic, and she can hit the outside shot,” said Bishop. “That really fits in well with our offense. She’s a really good player and an outstanding athlete.”

Leathers and senior Alyssa Ferdaszewski each dished out a game-high 5 assist, and freshman center Kristel Eddington added 8 points and a game-high 8 rebounds. The Cougars enjoyed a 38-31 edge in rebounds.

“This year we have been right there with other teams in rebounding, and that has been a focus for us this year,” said Bishop. “We knew that if we were able to keep 2 posts in at a time, we would definitely have a height advantage and be able to control the boards like we did.”

Concordia was led by Priscilla Angeloni’s team-highs 10 points and 7 rebounds, as the Eagles shot just 23 percent (6-for-26) from the field in the second half.

After Concordia completed a 9-2 run late in the first half to cut the deficit to 38-32, Azusa Pacific went on a 7-0 run over the final minute of the half to take a 45-32 lead into the break. Johnson led all first-half scorers with 12 points.

With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 1-2 in GSAC play while evening its season record at 3-3. Concordia drops to 1-2 in GSAC, 2-4 overall.