IRVINE, Calif. – While still searching for that complete game the new season is off to a positive start.

Azusa Pacific overcame a slow start to post a 75-57 victory against Concordia in the PacWest opener for both squads.

Shooting woes and turnovers haunted Azusa Pacific in the opening 20 minutes as they connected on 35.3 percent (12-for-34) of their shots while committing 14 turnovers. The second half was played much more crisply as the nailed half of their 34 field goal attempts to pull away for the win. The Cougars limited their miscues to just eight in the final half.

"I was happy with our effort and energy. We missed some shots early that we really should have converted. We need to clean that up but I'm pleased with the energy with had," head coach T.J. Hardeman. "We definitely need to do better executing and finishing."

For the first time this season the Cougars placed five players in double figures led by Abigail Goodsell's and Gabrielle Kaiser's 19-point efforts. Tara Casey and Casey Wortley each had 11 points while Zoe March went for 10. The starters accounted for all but five of the Cougar points.

Azusa Pacific weaved 10 different players onto the court as they build a strong first quarter lead. At the first media timeout they held a 12-5 edge. After the stoppage, the Cougars scored the game's next four points in taking a 12-point lead. Azusa Pacific (3-5, 1-0 PacWest) eventually took a 19-11 advantage at the break after holding the home team to just three made field goals on 16 attempts and forcing them into six turnovers.

A sloppy second period ensued as both teams were held to single digits on the scoreboard. The home team connected on just two of their 14 field goals attempts while Azusa Pacific fared slightly better with a 4-for-19 performance from the floor. Concordia (3-4, 0-1) kept their 27-20 halftime deficit to single digit by converting 9-of-13 shots from the foul line.

The locker room adjustments did well by the Cougars as they scored 13 of the third quarter's first 16 points. The 40-23 lead with just over five minutes left in the frame was too much to overcome for the Eagles. Azusa Pacific got their first 20-plus point lead (53-31) after a Kaiser lay-in with 1:49 left in the stanza.

Concordia tried to mount a comeback in the final frame as they pulled within 14 points on one occasion but the Cougars responded by scoring six unanswered points to thwart any potential comeback.

The Cougars conclude their nine-game road swing to start the season with a trip to rival California Baptist on Saturday evening for a 5:00 p.m. tip-off.