OAKLAND, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific fell on the road to PacWest opponent Holy Names, by a final of 85-71. The Cougars and Hawks changed the lead throughout most of the first half, until a pair of Holy Names free throws gave the Hawks the lead for good at 28-27 with 5:49 left in the first half.
How It Happened: Holy Names shot 46 percent (25-for-54) from the floor, including 53 percent (8-for-15) from deep. Azusa Pacific ended the game at a 39 percent shooting clip (22-for-56), converting on just 27 percent (7-for-26) of its attempts from the three-point line. Foul trouble was a reality for Azusa Pacific throughout the game, as two Cougars fouled out of the game (
Selom Mawugbe and
Jake Spurgeon) and three others finished with four fouls (
Darien McClain,
Tyson Kanseyo, and
Noah Bundrant).
Turning Point: With 16:42 left in the game, Holy Names held a slim 43-42 lead. Over the next five minutes of play, Holy Names went on an 18-2 run, stretching its advantage to 61-44 with 11:38 left in the game. For the rest of the contest, Azusa Pacific trailed by at least 10 points, including a 19-point deficit at 78-59 with just under two minutes left in the game.
Azusa Pacific Standouts: Three Cougars finished in double figures, as
Selom Mawugbe scored a team-high 17 points,
Will Ferris finished with 14 points, and
Darien McClain added 11 points. Mawugbe also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, and McClain had a game-high five assists.
Holy Names Standouts: Andre Green scored a game-high 22 points, going 7-for-11 from the field, including 2-for-2 from the three-point line. Green also had eight rebounds in the game. Alonzo Taylor scored 16 points, and Kyvonte Davis had 13 points to help carry the offensive load.
What's Next: Azusa Pacific drops to 9-8 overall and 6-4 in PacWest play. The Cougars viist Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 3:00 p.m. In an earlier matchup this season, the Cougars beat Notre Dame de Namur by a final of 87-38. Following the second and final game in the Bay Area, Azusa Pacific will prepare for the Cornerstone Cup rematch, as it will face rival Biola on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.