Box Score BELLINGHAM, Wash. – All good things must come to an end.
The Azusa Pacific four-game winning streak to start the season came to a halt on Saturday evening with a 77-65 set back to Seattle Pacific.
The contest concluded the West Region Crossover Classic for the Cougars as they played Great Northwest Athletic Conference foes Western Washington and Seattle Pacific in a two-day stretch. UC San Diego all participated in the four-team event.
Saturday's game marked the fifth game during an eight-day season opening stretch for Azusa Pacific.
"I think we got tired this evening. I'm really proud of the way we fought and battled to the end. No matter who was on the floor we play we determination but in the end I think we were a bit wore down," said head coach T.J. Hardeman.
Seattle Pacific (4-0) broke open a tight game with a run that started just before the first half's 10-minute mark. By the end of the scoring spurt they held a 24-10 lead with 7:39 remaining until halftime. Azusa Pacific chipped away and got their deficit down to 33-29 at intermission.
The Cougars hit the first shot of the final half but couldn't get any closer than that two-point spread in the second frame. The Falcons pulled away and eventually took a double-digit lead with just over 13 minutes left in the game. They eventually grew that lead to 15 points at 64-49 with seven minutes remaining. Azusa Pacific brought their deficit down to nine points in the final minutes but couldn't get any closer.
Kelly Hardeman had a Azusa Pacific best 22 points while grabbing 11 rebounds in posting her fourth double-double of the season. The junior was named to the all-tornament team after scoring 39 points and grabbing 24 rebounds in the two games. She also blocked seven shots.
Miram Zabinsky (14) and Lisha Elsenbach (10) rounded out the double figure scorers
"We have grown a lot as a team during this opening stretch and I like we were stand right now. The team still has growing and improving to do but I'm pleased with the progress we've made during the first few weeks of the season," Hardeman said.
The Cougars next test comes during the Thanksgiving weekend when they travel to UC San Diego to play the Cal State San Bernardino and the host Tritons on back-to-back days.
