Box Score AZUSA, Calif. – An all-around team effort coupled with one of the most effective halves in recent memory did Azusa Pacific well on Monday evening.

An efficient first half was more than enough for the Cougars as they tallied an 82-62 victory over Chaminade. 

With the win the Cougars guaranteed themselves no worse than a sixth place finish in the PacWest standings which assures them a spot in the league's post-season tournament March 5-7 hosted by Concordia University in Irvine. 

For the second time this season Azusa Pacific (16-9, 12-6 PacWest) placed five players in double figures. Kelly Hardeman led the way with a 20-point evening. Katie Powell added a 17-point effort, while Cydnie Jones scored 11 points and Miriam Zabinsky tallied 10 points. The best all-around game was courtesy of Maggie Dumphy's 20-point, nine-rebound effort. She also blocked six shots and had six steals.

During the second half Hardeman tied Jessica Herman for the most blocked shots in an Azusa Pacific career with 129. Herman set the school record during a two-year stretch in the late 90's.

The Cougars built an early 24-11 advantage by the second media timeout with a full court press defense and solid shooting. Azusa Pacific hit 10 of their first 15 shots (66.7 percent) while forcing the Silver Swords into nine turnovers. Eleven of the Cougars first 24 points came off of Chaminade miscues. 

"We were trying to speed the tempo of the game up a bit with the press," said head coach T.J. Hardeman. "I'm pleased with how we distributed the ball and got everyone involved. There were times we were a bit too unselfish but, for the most part, I was satisfied with how we performed." 

Azusa Pacific remained hot as they increased their lead to 38-16 with just under six-minutes left in the half. The home eventually went into half with a 48-25 lead as they hit 67.9 percent (19-for-28) of their field goal attempts in the opening 20 minutes. Chaminade (6-15, 6-11) committed 17 turnovers which the Cougars turned into a 23-11 edge in points off turnovers. Azusa Pacific also dominated the paint as they outscored the Silver Swords 24-2 down low. 

Even though the Cougars offensive efficiency slowed during the final 20 minutes they kept Chaminade at bay. The Silver Swords never pulled any closer than 16 points in the second frame. 

Chaminade was solid from behind the arc as they hit nine of their 19 attempts lead by Glacen Florita's perfect 4-for-4 effort. Florita lead all Silver Swords with a 16-point evening.

Azusa Pacific finished the game by hitting 47.5 percent (29-for-61) of their field goal attempts. The Cougars dominated the paint as they outscored Chaminade 36-18 down low and they held a 21-8 edge in second chance scoring. 

Azusa Pacific's fourth game of a season ending five-game home stand is Saturday evening against rival California Baptist at 5:30 p.m.