AZUSA, Calif. – Next calendar year. Same result.
After shaking off some 2018 rust, Azusa Pacific combined strong shooting and effective defense to pull away from Fresno Pacific 88-67 on Wednesday evening.
Despite only leading by a single digit after 20 minutes, the Cougars won their fourth straight and upped their record to 15-2 overall and 6-1 in PacWest contests in their first game of the New Year.
HOW IT HAPPENED: In the opening two quarters the teams traded the lead six times but a renewed emphasis on defense and well executed offense in the final 20 minutes proved the difference.
Azusa Pacific came out of their halftime locker room with a 44-43 lead. In less than five minutes, the home turned that slim lead into a 59-45 advantage. The Cougars continued to hold that double figure edge as they outscored the Sunbirds (6-9, 4-3) 22-11 in the third stanza.
Early in the final frame Fresno Pacific pulled within 67-58 after a Cassie Pisik three-pointer but the Cougars outscored the Sunbirds 21-7 the rest of the way.
SECOND HALF DIFFERENCE: During the final 20 minutes the Cougars forced eight turnovers which helped them to a 10-1 edge in points off turnovers. Azusa Pacific also denied the Sunbirds on the boards as they held them without an offensive rebounds in the third and fourth quarters.
Offensively the Cougars went 17-for-32 (53.1 percent) during the last 20 minutes.
QUOTEABLE: "We had a hard time finding a good rhythm in the game but we picked up our intensity in the second half. I'm pleased with how we rebounded during the last 20 minutes and I thought we did a much better job defensively after halftime," said head coach T.J. Hardeman. "I'm certainly pleased with the win but we still have some growing to do."
250TH WIN: In his 11th season on the bench, T.J. Hardeman now has 250 wins as the Azusa Pacific head coach.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Savanna Hanson posted her fifth double-double of the season (15 points, 14 rebounds
- Gabrielle Kaiser went 10-for-15 from the floor en route to a game high 24 points
- Zoe March dished out a game best eight helpers
UP NEXT: The Cougars welcome Biola to the Felix Event Center as the teams renew their rivalry as NCAA Division II members. The Cornerstone Cup contest begins at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
