SAN DIEGO – After an outstanding individual effort in the first half, it was team defense in the final two quarters that helped Azusa Pacific pull away.
A swarming defense keyed the Cougars to an 83-68 win at Point Loma on Saturday afternoon.
The 15th ranked Cougars move to 19-3 overall and 10-2 in PacWest contests. Conference leader Hawai'i Pacific plays later today at Biola.
HOW IT HAPPENED: A swarming defense wore down the Point Loma ball handlers as the game continued. Azusa Pacific took the lead for good just before the midway of the first quarter. They kept their lead steady as the game ticked towards intermission. Savanna Hanson was the key cog for the Cougars as she posted an 18-point, eight-rebound first half in helping her team take a 37-30 lead at the break.
Early in the third quarter the Cougars press created separation on the scoreboard. Already leading 37-34, Azusa Pacific scored nine straight in just over one-minute to take a double figure lead. The home responded and pulled within five points (46-41) with 4:51 left in the third quarter. They would not get any closer. Azusa Pacific closed the stanza on a 14-4 scoring spurt and they never let the Sea Lions (10-9, 5-7 PacWest) within single digits the rest of the way.
Azusa Pacific took a 20-point lead, their largest of the game, early in the final stanza.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- Savanna Hanson had her team leading seventh double-double of the season with a 24-point, 14-rebound effort.
- Zoe March went 7-for-9 from the floor en route to an 18-point game
- Abbigail Goodsell hit a team season high 13 foul shots as she scored at least 20 points for the sixth time this year
- As a team the Cougars 22 made free throws were a season highs
- Azusa Pacific posted a 27-12 edge in points off turnovers
QUOTABLE: "The game really swung in our favor in the third quarter. Our pressure made them really uncomfortable and we had turned them over repeatedly which help make a close game get into a double figure for us," said head coach T.J. Hardeman.
On Savanna Hanson: "She played a really good game. Her first half was outstanding. Savanna does a lot of good things for us and today was example of all she can do."
UP NEXT: The Cougars take a five-day break before hosting California Baptist on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
