RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Cougars defense was on full display against the reigning conference and region champion.
Azusa Pacific continually harassed the California Baptist offense in posting a 77-55 win against on Saturday evening.
The win ups the 18th ranked Cougars record to 17-2 overall and 8-1 in PacWest contests as they posted their first road win against California Baptist since the 2009-10 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Azusa Pacific defense was relentless all night as they forced the home team into a season high 30 turnovers. Less than 15 minutes into the game the Lancers had already committed 18 turnovers. The Cougars ended the game with a 21-5 edge in points off turnovers.
The second quarter made the difference in deciding Saturday's victor. Azusa Pacific nailed 11 of their 21 attempts from the floor while holding the Lancers to a 3-for-16 shooting effort. The Cougars posted a 24-10 scoring edge as they took a 39-23 lead into the locker room.
California Baptist came out of the intermission and was able to cut their deficit down to 11 points twice but the Cougars exuded their dominance the rest of the way. With 4:54 left in the third quarter, Azusa Pacific built a 46-35 lead into a 57-35 as they scored 11 unanswered points in just over two minutes.
During the final period the Cougars were never threatened as they built a lead as large as 28 points.
QUOTEABLE: "We want to play fast both offensively and defensively and tonight we did a great job of putting pressure on them on both side of the court," said head coach T.J. Hardeman. "We have so many players we can rotate in and out of the line-up that makes it hard for other teams to keep-up with us."
On Casey Wortley's play, "She played really great tonight. Casey is such a versatile player who can do so many positive things for this team and tonight all of those were on display."
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Casey Wortley scored a game and career high 21 points while grabbing 10 rebounds. It was her first double-double of the season
- Abbigail Goodsell nearly posted a triple-double with a 10-point, 11-rebound, eight-assist evening
- The double figure scorers for the Cougars were rounded out by Savanna Hanson (11), Zoe March (10) and Gabrielle Kaiser (10)
- Azusa Pacific posted a 11 steals which marks the 13th time this season they had at least 10 in a game
PACWEST IMPLICATIONS: With the win the Cougars remain in first-place in the league standings. They are tied in the loss column with Hawai'i Pacific (6-1 PacWest).
UP NEXT: The Cougars travel to the Fresno Pacific on Monday, Jan. 15 for a 2:30 p.m. contest with the Sunbirds.
