SEATTLE -- Azusa Pacific fell to host Seattle Pacific by a final of 83-65 in the final game of the Sodexo Tip-Off Classic. The Cougars took a 30-28 halftime lead but the second half belonged to the host Falcons, who outscored Azusa Pacific, 55-35, over the final 20 minutes of the contest.
How It Happened: In the first half, Seattle Pacific posted a better shooting percentage (44.4%) from the field than the Cougars (39.3%), but Azusa Pacific went 6-for-15 from the three-point line, while Seattle Pacific shot 1-for-7 from deep. The Cougars made five of their three-pointers in the first 15 minutes of the half, as they jumped out to their biggest lead of the game at 25-16, with 4:42 left in the first half. Seattle Pacific fought back into the game before halftime, as the Falcons put together a 12-5 run to bring the deficit down to just a single possession at 30-28, heading into the locker room.
The second half was all Falcons, as they shot 58.6 percent from the floor (17-for-29), including seven three-pointers. Seattle Pacific was able to create significant separation at the free-throw line, as the Falcons went 14-for-17 (82.4 percent) from the charity stripe, while the Cougars only shot seven free throws in the half. The Falcons also controlled the glass, posting a 21-10 rebound advantage, including seven offensive rebounds.
Turning Point: Seattle Pacific opened the second-half with a three-pointers on their first two possessions, which shifted momentum towards the Falcons. Less than 20 seconds into the half, a Nikhil Lizotte three-pointer gave Seattle Pacific a 31-30 lead. The Cougars took the lead right back at 32-31 on a pair of free throws from junior guard
Mandrell Worthy, but Gavin Long hit a three-pointer on the very next possession for Seattle Pacific to put the Falcons up for good, 34-32, with 19:03 left in the game.
Azusa Pacific Standouts: Senior guard
Will Ferris led the Cougars in scoring, as he finished with 16 points while also adding a team-high five assists. Worthy and senior guard
Darien McClain also scored in double figures, as Worthy finished with 14 points, and McClain added 12 points on four made three-pointers. Junior forward
Selom Mawugbe led the Cougars in rebounding with five, while also posting four blocks in the contest.
Seattle Pacific Standouts: Coleman Wooten and Lizotte carried much of the offensive load for the Falcons, as Wooten finished with a double-double on 18 points and 11 rebounds, including five offensive rebounds. Lizotte went a perfect 5-for-5 from deep, as he finished with a team-high 19 points. Lizotte also lead Seattle Pacific in assists with five. Harry Cavell also scored in double figures, finishing with 12 points.
What's Next: Azusa Pacific drops to 2-4 on the season, but the Cougars will return to Southern California for their final non-conference matchup, a Wednesday, Nov. 21 visit to Cal State San Marcos . Azusa Pacific then kicks off the PacWest season with consecutive home games against Holy Names (Nov. 29) and Notre Dame de Namur (Dec. 1).
