SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific closed out its non-conference schedule with an important road win, as the Cougars defeated Cal State San Marcos by a final of 84-79.
 
The Cougars held the lead for most of the evening, as Cal State San Marcos' final advantage was with 4:06 left in the first half, when it held a 26-25 lead. Freshman Ben Avera knocked down a three-point shot with 3:45 left in the first half, which gave Azusa Pacific a 28-26 lead. Cal State San Marcos tied the game at 73-73 with less than two minutes remaining, but Mandrell Worthy scored 9 of his team-high 23 points in the final 2:08 as the Cougars went on an 11-4 run before CSUSM scored a layup as time expired for the final 84-79 margin.
 
How It Happened: While the two teams were fairly close in terms of overall shooting percentage, with Azusa Pacific shooting 44 percent (25-for-57) and Cal State San Marcos posting a 45 percent (31-for-69) clip from the field, the three-point line and charity stripe heavily favored Azusa Pacific. From deep, Azusa Pacific made 14 three-pointers at a 42 percent clip, while Cal State San Marcos only made four three-pointers in the game. At the free-throw line, Azusa Pacific went 20-for-22 (91 percent), compared to Cal State San Marcos' 13-for-21 effort (62 percent). Azusa Pacific also posted a significant advantage in assists with 18 (Cal State San Marcos finished with seven) and bench points, as the Azusa Pacific bench finished with 23 points (Cal State San Marcos' reserves combined for 11).
 
Turning Point: Despite holding a 17-point advantage in the second half at 61-44 with 12:35 left in the game, Azusa Pacific had to hold off Cal State San Marcos down the stretch in order to secure the win. Junior guard Mandrell Worthy proved to be the clutch and calm hand for Azusa Pacific, as he scored nine points in the final two minutes of the game. Cal State San Marcos had been trailing throughout the entire half, when it fought back to tie the game at 71-71 with 2:41 remaining. With momentum looking to be leaning towards the home team, Worthy was able to knock down a baseline jumper to take the lead right back at 73-71, with 2:08 left on the clock. Cal State San Marcos tied the game up at 73-73 on the very next possession, but Worthy once again responded, as he calmly knocked down two free throws to put Azusa Pacific back up 75-73 with a minute and a half left. 20 seconds later, with the score at 75-74, Worthy hit a huge three-pointer that put Azusa Pacific up by two possessions at 78-74. Cal State San Marcos kept hope alive, as it trimmed the lead down to 78-77 with 18 seconds left on the clock, thanks to three made free throws. Worthy was fouled on the ensuing Azusa Pacific possession, hitting both free-throws to take a 80-77 lead. Azusa Pacific closed out the game with solid defense and clutch free throws, as senior guard Darien McClain and freshman forward Gerritt Beetstra each went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
 
Azusa Pacific Standouts: Worthy once again led the Cougars in scoring, as he finished the game with 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting, while also dishing out four assists, grabbing three rebounds, and recording a steal. Three other Cougars scored in double-figures, as junior forward Jonathan Davis scored 13 points, McClain added 12 points to go along with four assists and three steals, and senior guard Will Ferris had 10 points. Senior forward Tyson Kanseyo led Azusa Pacific in rebounding with eight total rebounds, including three offensive rebounds. Beetstra affected the game for the Cougars in a variety of ways as well, as he finished with seven points, seven rebounds (four offensive), and four assists.
 
Cal State San Marcos Standouts: Khalil Fuller was the game's leading scorer with 32 points, while also grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds. Darae Elliot also posted a double-double for Cal State San Marcos, as he did it on 13 points and 11 rebounds. JR Williams had a game-high four steals.
 
What's Next: Azusa Pacific heads into the Thanksgiving break with a 3-4 overall record. The Cougars are now set to open up PacWest play, as they will welcome Holy Names on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m., for their season home opener in the Felix Event Center.