Azusa Pacific, a team brimming with high expectations, finally met its potential -– head on, and Point Loma was in the way. For the first time in nearly 3 weeks, the Cougars played with energy, passion and purpose from the opening tip to the final horn. Driving them was that single purpose to prove that no matter what the standings or the polls indicate, Azusa Pacific is a great team. Point Loma won't argue that point.

The NAIA's No. 24 Azusa Pacific scored 22 of the game's first 26 points and never let up the rest of the night, eventually beating the Sea Lions, 103-66, before 1,436 in the Felix Event Center Friday evening.

The way the Cougars played, it's doubtful anyone in the NAIA would have challenged Azusa Pacific this particular evening. The Cougars shot a fine 53-percent from the floor, dominated the glass by out-rebounding an undermanned Sea Lion unit 52-31, and all the while played intense defense, holding Point Loma to just 24-for-64 (38-percent) shooting from the floor while blocking 5 shots and inducing 18 turnovers

"Our defense always sparks our offense," said Azusa Pacific coach Bill Odell who moved to 35-4 vs. Point Loma in his 16-year Cougar career. "I think the guys saw at the end of the Biola game that when they played with some intensity, this is what can happen."

What happened was a total team victory. Six different Cougars scored in double-figures, led by freshman reserve Mike Danielian, who tallied 21 points on a nifty 9-for-12 shooting touch. Senior forward Scott Zea registered his fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Azusa Pacific roared out to a 22-4 lead. The Cougars made 9 of their first 14 shots, which included a pair of treys and was capped by back-to-back dunks by Chidi Ajufo and Butler. A pair of Sea Lion timeouts had no affect on the Cougars, who in a matter of 15 minutes of play were now up by 29 points at 45-16. The Cougars settled for a 53-27 halftime lead, and despite the onslaught, no Cougar was in double figures in scoring by the break. Rather 6 different players had 7 or more points.

"We really wanted to move the ball tonight, and do so without dribbling it," said Odell. "It got everyone going in the offense."

Senior forward Tristan King, who scored 15 points in the 3 previous games combined, was the greatest benefactor of the Cougar scheme tonight, recording 17 points to go along with 4 assists.

"He was real solid," said Odell, "both offensively and defensively. "We ran some plays early for him and got him some early baskets, and that seemed to get him going."

Fellow wingman Demario Butler enjoyed his second straight strong game, registering 13 points, 6 rebounds 4 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot.

"We gave a little extra effort tonight," said Butler. "We knew Point Loma is a very, very good shooting team, so we had to play lights out defense and that got them on their heels. When I saw that, I played like a lion. I saw blood and I attacked."

Junior guard Matt Oliver played his finest game in nearly 2 months with 12 points and a game-high 6 assists. Senior center Brice Prather finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Azusa Pacific led by as much as 41 at 99-58 following a Danielian trey, part of his 14-point second-half explosion.

"He is a scorer, and if given an inch he is going to take the shot," said Odell. "As long as he does it in our framework of play, I don't discourage it."

Point Loma Nazarene was paced by Xavier Lopez's 14 points.

If nothing else, the Cougars proved to themselves that they still are a good team despite suffering a pair of unsettling losses last week. Now they have to keep the effort at this level.

"We just have to," said Odell, "there are no pushovers in this conference."

"It's defense that is going to keep us going," said Butler. "We now play 2 teams (Westmont and Concordia) ranked ahead of us, and that gives us reason enough to play extra hard. We don't want to be ranked 24 anymore."

With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 18-3 overall, 8-3 in the GSAC, while Point Loma falls to 12-9 overall, 4-7 in the GSAC.