AZUSA, Calif. – In what is expected to be a pair of potentially PacWest title deciding games, the Cougars came out victorious.

Azusa Pacific's bench and defense were key as they posted an 81-69 win against Point Loma on Saturday afternoon.

The squads were picked as the preseason conference co-favorites in the preseason coaches poll. They will play again at Point Loma on Jan. 20.

HOW IT HAPPENED: While the 17th ranked Cougars held the lead for over 75 percent of the game, it wasn't until the final minutes they could breathe easy.

Aside from the opening possession, Azusa Pacific never trailed in the first two quarters. They built a second quarter lead as large as 12 points (36-24) late in the frame but the Sea Lions (5-3, 0-1 PacWest) finished the quarter on an 11-4 scoring spurt. The Cougars took a 40-35 edge into the locker room.

A nip-and-tuck third quarter ensued as the lead changed hands nine times with neither team getting a lead bigger than two points. The Cougars (11-1, 2-0) methodically built their double-digit lead in the 10 minutes. Point Loma tied the score at 58-58 with 7:43 left but never took the lead. From that point forward the Cougars clamped down on defense as Point Loma made just two field goals the rest of the contest. Azusa Pacific outscored the visitors 27-14 in the final quarter.

BENCH GAINS: Casey Worley came off the bench and scored a team high 16 points. Fellow bench companions Gina Henderson (10 points) and Rachel Bozlee (11) helped contribute to a 41-5 scoring edge in bench scoring.

WHISTLES AND FOULS: Each team was called for more than 20 fouls as the game struggled to find a flow at times. Azusa Pacific was whistled for 24 while the Sea Lions were called for 21.

QUOTEABLE: "At times it was difficult to find a rhythm out there but a major part of the game was our bench play," head coach T.J. Hardeman said. "We knew going into the game that we had more depth than they did and I think we just wore them down with our fresher legs."

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

- Zoe March played a complete game with 14 points, seven steals and five assists
- Savanna Hanson overcame some foul trouble to post her fourth double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) of the season
- Azusa Pacific forced 20 turnovers and had 13 steals
- The Cougars held a 17-8 edge in points off turnovers

UP NEXT: Azusa Pacific travels to St. George, Utah for a Saturday, Dec. 9 contest against Dixie State.