AZUSA, Calif. – Victory is all that matters. Especially in your NCAA postseason debut.
Serving as the host and No. 1 seed for the NCAA Division II West Regional Championships, Azusa Pacific overcame a solid effort from No. 8 seed Montana State Billings to post an 83-75 win on Friday evening.
With the victory the Cougars (28-3) will play fourth-seed UC San Diego in Saturday's second semifinal at 7:30 p.m. The first semifinal at 5 p.m. matches-up #2 Alaska Anchorage and #3 California Baptist.
Azusa Pacific Press Conference
During the game Maggie Dumphy set the school single season block record with her 76th swat of the season. She also contributed 13 points while grabbing nine rebounds in nearly posting her fourth double-double of the season. Jessica Herman set the previous mark of 75 during the 1998 campaign.
Also setting a school record was Kelly Hardeman. The senior nailed her 272nd career three-pointer to pass Sarah Leathers' total of 271 set between the 2005-08 seasons. Hardeman tied for team high honors with 17 points.
Rounding out the double figure producers were fellow starters Allison Greene (17) and Cydnie Jones (13). The back court duo each had a game best six assists.
Despite an early 15-8 deficit, the Cougars responded nicely. The home squad finished the first quarter on a 13-2 scoring spurt to help open up their offensive rhythm. When Miriam Zabinsky knocked down a pair of free throws, with just under two minutes left in the second quarter, Azusa Pacific took their first double digit lead of the game at 37-25. The Cougars eventually took a 39-29 lead into the locker room.
In the third quarter the Cougars looked to be on their way to victory after a Joelle Tampien three-pointer gave her team a 55-41 lead with 3:02 left in the period. Montana State Billings (21-11) closed the period with seven straight points to pull within 55-48. The Yellow Jackets continued their momentum as they closed their deficit to 55-52 early in the fourth quarter.
On their ensuing three offensive possessions the Cougars nailed back-to-back three-pointers from Jones and Hardeman then a Dumphy jumper to take a 63-52 edge. Montana State Billings, once again, cut their deficit down to six with just over three minutes. Then during a frantically played final minute the Yellow Jackets pulled with four points (79-75) with 18 tickets left. However, the Cougars settled down to secure the win with four straight free throws.
