RIVERSIDE, Calif. –- Mark Roussin’s 3-pointer with 1:12 left in the game and his subsequent steal 10 seconds later lifted the NAIA’s No. 22-ranked Cal Baptist to a 73-70 Golden State Athletic Conference victory over No. 13 Azusa Pacific Friday night in Van Dyne Gym.

In a game that featured 8 lead changes in the second half, the most important turnaround came with just 72 seconds remaining to play. Azusa Pacific, which had rallied from 14 down in the first half to take a 7-point lead early in the second half, assumed a 68-66 lead on a Demario Butler jumper in the key that capped a Cougar 8-2 run.

On the ensuing possession, Roussin answered with his fourth trey of the night to give Cal Baptist the lead for good. For good measure, he then came up with the key defensive play of the game, stealing the ball from Cougar point guard Khalif Ford. Lancer center Andrew Buckner then converted a game-clinching lay-up to put the Lancers up by 3 at 71-68 with 28 seconds left. Azusa Pacific was unable to get off a 3-point shot and settled for a Butler put-back. Roussin was then fouled and converted a pair of free throws with 3 seconds left for the final margin of victory.

The win pulls Cal Baptist even with Azusa Pacific for a third-place tie in the GSAC at 13-6 with 1 game remaining in the regular season. It also gives the Lancers their first season sweep of Azusa Pacific in 21 years. CBU collected a 96-85 win in Azusa last month.

Roussin led all players with 25 points and teamed with Bruckner to not only tally 35 points and 11 rebounds together, but the pair also dominated the Cougar frontline of Scott Zea and Brice Prather, who in return for the Roussin-Bruckner effort answered with 2 points and 6 turnovers in their more than 25 minutes of play.

In their stead, Todd Martin came off the bench to enjoy his best game as a Cougar, tallying a team-high 19 points. Butler added 18 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.

The Cougars again struggled at the line – both them – missing 7-of-21 free throws and 9-of-11 3-point shots.

Cal Baptist rolled from the gate, assuming a 22-8 lead early in the game. Azusa Pacific eventually awoke from its collective slumber and rallied back to tie the game at 35-35 before the Lancers settled for a 39-38 halftime lead. Azusa Pacific, though, was back in the game and appeared to be in control. The Cougars scored the first 8 points of the second half to zip out to a 46-39 advantage following a Ford lay-up less than 3 minutes into the half.

Cal Baptist did not fade away, but answered with an 11-2 run to reassume the lead at 50-48 following a pair of Junior Densen free throws. From there the 2 teams traded leads over the final 12 minutes of play until Roussin’s game-winning plays.

Azusa Pacific falls to 23-6 overall. Cal Baptist improves to 19-9.

The Cougars take 2 days off to prepare for a visit from arch-rival Biola Monday night in the Felix Event Center. Cal Baptist closes the regular season at No. 5-ranked Concordia.