AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific was defeated by Northeastern State by a final of 63-57, in the final game of the Azusa Pacific Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday night. dropping the No. 21-ranked Cougars to 3-3 on the year after consecutive home defeats.
Northeastern State came out of the gates firing, as the RiverHawks quickly jumped out to a 17-5 lead to start the game. Azusa Pacific was able to battle back, as it cut the deficit to 20-16 at the end of the first quarter. The game proved to be a back-and-forth affair, as there were nine lead changes and six ties, with the spread remaining in single-digits following the first quarter.
How It Happened: Northeastern State outshot the Cougars from the field, as the RiverHawks went 20-for-55 from the field (36.4%), including 9-for-19 (47.4%) from the three-point line. Azusa Pacific was 23-for-71 from the field (32.4%), and shot just 20 percent from deep (5-for-25). Northeastern State posted a decisive advantage from the charity stripe, making 14 of 22 attempts (63.6%), while Azusa Pacific only shot 10 free-throws, making six of them (60%).
Turning Point: To start the third quarter, Azusa Pacific was able to take a 37-36 lead on a three-pointer by junior guard
Zoe March, with just over two minutes off of the clock. The Cougars held the lead until the four minute mark in the third quarter, when Northeastern State was able to tie the game at 40-40. Under a minute later, the RiverHawks took a 43-40 lead on a three-pointer by Cenia Hayes. Northeastern State would hold the lead for the duration of the contest.
Azusa Pacific Standouts: Junior
Savanna Hanson posted a double-double in the game, as she scored a game-high 22 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds. Hanson also added three assists and two steals. March was the Cougars second-leading scorer with nine points, while also collecting four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Northeastern State Standouts: The RiverHawks had two players score in double figures, as Cailyn Long finished with 15 points and Cenia Hayes had 13 points, with each player making three shots from beyond the arc. Hayes also had six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Maddie Morrow had a team-high seven rebounds.
What's Next: Azusa Pacific wraps up the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 3-3 overall record heading into next week's PacWest-opening weekend. The Cougars will welcome Holy Names on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m., for their first conference game of the season.