Box Score AZUSA, Calif. – Getting down by 10 or more points is never ideal but one thing is for sure with this version of Azusa Pacific women's basketball, there is no quit.
For the second time in their first three games the Cougars roared back from a double figure deficit to post a win. This time the victim was Cal State L.A. as Azusa Pacific posted a 63-58 victory.
"I really think we had some big games this weekend and we were a little fatigued mentally and too pleased with ourselves. After being down we talked about playing with emotion and passion," said head coach T.J. Hardeman. "We certainly made some adjustments that were key but we needed to play with more energy and we did that most of the second half."
Azusa Pacific came out flat in the opening frame. They hit just three of their first 16 shots and found themselves down 30-13 with just over three minutes left until intermission. A brief scoring spurt cut that deficit down to 38-25 at the contest's halfway point.
During those opening 20 minutes Cal State L.A (0-1) took advantage of 11 Azusa Pacific turnovers and an 8-for-30 shooting effort (26.7 percent) from the floor. The visitors scored 15 points off Cougar miscues in helping them build a 13-point lead.
The Golden Eagles scored the first four points of the second half as they upped their lead back to 17 points. Azusa Pacific (3-0) began to chip away at the deficit from that point forward. A lay-up by Kelly Hardeman and two free throws from Katie Powell capped a 25-4 scoring run as the Cougars took their first lead of the night 50-46 with just over eight minutes left.
Katja Powell hit a shot from behind the arc with 6:27 remaining to put the Golden Eagles back in front 51-50. That would be the last lead for the visitors. Azusa Pacific scored nine straight points polished off by a Hardeman three-pointer with 1:51 remaining to give the Cougars an insurmountable 59-51 edge.
Cal State L.A. was able to get their deficit down to three on two occasions in the final minute but solid foul shooting by the Cougars helped complete the comeback.
"I really like this team's grit and determination. They won't quit no matter the score. Each play we are trying to get better," Hardeman said. "These games are almost as important as league games. Every one of these wins at the end of the year are really important when deciding postseason berths and seeding."
Azusa Pacific's three straight wins to start the season were against three of the top four California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) teams from last season. In addition to tonight's win the Cougars beat 2014 NCAA Division II Championship participants Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Tuesday's comeback was fueled by Hardeman, the reigning PacWest player of the week. The junior scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while playing 38 minutes. It is the third straight game she has scored at least 20 points.
Despite a recent nose break, a tough minded Cydnie Jones scored 11 points and dished out six assists off the bench. Miriam Zabinsky put together a six-point, 10-rebound evening..
The Cal State L.A. effort was led by Kiah Knox's 16-point, 13-rebound performance. Geena Greene also produced a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds).
The Cougars play their first road game of the season when they travel to Western Washington; another NCAA Division II Championships team from last season.
