IRVINE, Calif. – After a 12-day break, the Cougars picked up where they left off.

Azusa Pacific used strong shooting in the final 20 minutes in helping them post a 66-57 win against Concordia on Saturday evening.

The 17th ranked Cougars move to 14-2 overall and 5-1 in PacWest contests as they closed out their 2017 slate and turn the page towards the next calendar year.

HOW IT HAPPENED: In the first two quarters the lead changed hands eight times. Azusa Pacific started to prime their shooting efforts with a late scoring spree to close the second frame. Trailing 18-17 just before the second period's midway point, the Cougars scored seven of the last nine points to take a 24-20 lead into the locker room.

During the first two quarters the Cougars limited the home team to just five made field goals on 31 attempts (16.1 percent) to help them to a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Coming out of the break, Azusa Pacific continued their scoring spurt. They outscored the Eagles 15-6 during the first five-plus minutes. As the contest continued Concordia pulled within eight on three occasions but never poised a serious threat to the Cougars lead.

TAIL OF TWO SHOOTING HALVES: Azusa Pacific's defense, while certainly strong during the first and second quarters, helped tremendously in the victory as the offense looked to get in the proper rhythm. After hitting just over 30 percent of their first half shots, the Cougars nailed 13 of their 24 second half attempts (54.2 percent).

Concordia was similar as they hit over half of their third and fourth quarter field goal attempts (56.5 percent, 13-for-23).

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

- Azusa Pacific forced the Eagles into 21 turnovers which gave them a 17-8 edge in points off turnovers
- Gabrielle Kaiser had a game high 18 points aided by her 6-for-6 effort from the foul line
- Abbigail Goodell had 14 points and five steals
- Savanna Hanson and Zoe March each notched 10-point evenings

UP NEXT: The Cougars return home as they host Fresno Pacific on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 5:30 p.m.