AZUSA, Calif. – In a game worthy of a playoff match-up in March, Cal Poly Pomona and Azusa Pacific played a thriller that came to the last seconds.

The Cougars came away with a 75-72 win in their home opener against Cal Poly Pomona by overcoming a late deficit.

HOW IT HAPPENED: After barely leading most of the first 20 minutes, Cal Poly Pomona held a six-point lead (65-59) with just under five minutes left. Slowly but surely the Cougars chipped away at their deficit and took the lead for good on a Savanna Hanson jumper with just over a minute left.

With a 71-69 lead, the Cougars got a missed three-pointer on Cal Poly Pomona's next possession then used a Gabrielle Kaiser jumper with 19 seconds left to take a 73-69 edge. The Broncos came down quickly and got a three-pointer from Alyssa Benton to pull within 73-72 with 14 ticks left. After some pressure the Broncos forced a turnover and had one last possession to get the lead.

During that possession, Casey McWilliam drove the lane but Kaiser came from the weak side to get the block and all but clinch the win. Gina Henderson sealed the game with two foul shots with 0.2 seconds left.

In the opening first two quarters the Cougars held a lead as large as 10 points late in the second frame. Cal Poly Pomona finished the quarter well as Azusa Pacific went into the locker room with a 38-36 lead. The visitors led for just under a minute.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

- Hanson tallied another double-double with a 14-point, 11-rebound night
- Kaiser led all scorers with 23 while blocking six
- Azusa Pacific grabbed 17 offensive rebounds helping them to a 20-9 edge in second chance points

QUOTEABLE: "I was happy with our fight and how hard we played. When we were down in the second half the team decided they have to play harder and better. They have a belief in themselves and what we are doing," head coach T.J. Hardeman said. "Cal Poly Pomona is a good team and we are pleased with this win. We have to do somethings better but this win shows the grit and determination of this team."

CCAA/PACWEST CHALLENGE: Friday's contest was a part of a crossover challenge between the two leagues. Earlier in the day Point Loma beat Cal State Dominguez Hills 97-72.

NEXT UP: The Cougars host Cal State Dominguez Hills at 3 p.m. on Saturday inside the Felix Event Center. Two hour prior, Point Loma and Cal Poly Pomona will tip-off.