LOS ANGELES -- Playing for the first time in nine days after a pair of games last week were cancelled due to wildfires in northern California, Azusa Pacific found a way to pull off a buzzer-beating victory at Cal State L.A. by a final score of 80-78.

With the score tied at 78-78 and four-tenths of a second left in regulation, junior forward Selom Mawugbe scored on a full-court inbound pass from junior forward Jonathan Davis as time expired, lifting the Cougars to the win in regulation.
 
How It Happened: For the majority of the game, Azusa Pacific held the lead, taking the lead less than two minutes into the game and maintaining the advantage until the final six minutes of the second half. The Cougars took a 50-35 halftime lead with a defensive effort which held Cal State L.A. to 32.5 percent (13-for-40) shooting from the floor, including 17.6 percent (3-for-17) from three-point range. Meanwhile, Azusa Pacific shot 53.3 percent (16-for-30) and went 10-for-20 from the three-point line in the opening half. The Cougars were able to create good looks for one another, finishing the first half with 14 assists on their 16 made baskets.
 
The second half was a different story offensively for the Cougars, which allowed Cal State L.A. to climb back into the game. After intermission, Azusa Pacific shot 32.3 percent (10-for-31) from the field, as well as going cold from the three-point line at 14.3 percent (2-for-14). The Cougars led by as many as 17 points early in the second half, but Cal State L.A. erased the entire margin with a 26-9 run over an eight-minute stretch after Will Ferris converted a three-point play for a 56-39 lead early in the half. The Golden Eagles only led once more, by one point and for only one minute, before Mandrell Worthy scored Azusa Pacific's next seven points to give the Cougars a four-point lead, 77-73, with less than two minutes to play.
 
Turning Point: With two minutes left in regulation, Azusa Pacific held a 77-73 lead. Cal State L.A. trimmed the lead to one, 77-76, with 40 seconds left, by hitting three-of-four free throws. With seven seconds left, senior guard Darien McClain was fouled and made one-of-two free throws for a 78-76 lead. On the second free-throw, Cal State L.A.'s Jihad Woods grabbed the rebound and found teammate Shacquille Dawkings who took the ball the length of the court for the game-tying layup. Initially, the buzzer sounded and it appeared that the game was headed to overtime. However, officials determined that four-tenths of a second would go back on the clock with the Cougars inbounding underneath the Golden Eagles' basket. Davis passed the length of the court to Mawugbe in front of the Cougar basket, who scored the game-winning basket as time expired.
 
Azusa Pacific Standouts: In addition to teaming up for the game-winner, Davis and Mawugbe had solid performances for the Cougars. Davis finished with 13 points and five assists, also grabbing three rebounds. Mawugbe had a team-high nine rebounds and seven blocks,  while also adding six points. Junior guard Mandrell Worthy led Azusa Pacific in scoring with 17 points, adding four assists, three rebounds, a block and a steal. Three other Cougars also scored in double-digits as McClain had 12 points, senior guard Will Ferris also finished with 12 points, and sophomore forward Gerritt Beetstra recorded his first career double-digit scoring game with 11 points. McClain was the Cougars' assist leader with six.
 
Cal State L.A. Standouts: The Golden Eagles had four players score in double-digits, led by Simon Okolue's 18 points and eight rebounds. Dawkins had 16 points, while Jordan Rogers and Jihad Woods both added 10 points. Ja'Sean Lewis led the Golden Eagles defense, as he finished with four steals and two blocks in the game.
 
What's Next: Azusa Pacific, now 2-2 on the young season, will travel to Seattle for the Sodexo Tip-Off Classic hosted by Seattle Pacific. The Cougars will face two Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponents, starting with Central Washington on Friday, Nov. 16 at 3:00 p.m., followed by Seattle Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 p.m.