FRESNO, Calif. – Azusa Pacific picked up its second PacWest win on Saturday, as the Cougars took down host Fresno Pacific 76-57 on Saturday evening. Azusa Pacific raced out to a 43-20 halftime lead, and then held off a few runs by Fresno Pacific in the second half to improve to 7-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
 
Selom Mawugbe led the way for the Cougars, as he turned in another double-double performance with an 18 point (9-for-9), 11 rebound effort. Mawugbe was joined in double figures by Ben Taufahema (12) and Gerritt Beetstra (11). Azusa Pacific made 29 field goals in the game, and 20 of those baskets were assisted on. Three Cougars finished with four assists; Taufahema, Terrence Becvar and Ben Avera. Defensively, Noah Bundrant had a game-high three steals.
 
Heading into the first media timeout of the game at 15:25 in the first half, Azusa Pacific held a 10-9 lead. The Cougars would take control following the timeout, as Azusa Pacific went on a 33-11 run to take the big lead into halftime. In the first half, Azusa Pacific shot 60% (16-for-27) from the floor and 50% (8-for-16) from beyond-the-arc. On the defensive end, the Cougars held the Sunbirds to just 33% (9-for-27) shooting, including a 14% (2-for-14) clip from deep.
 
"I was really proud of how our guys played on the defensive end tonight," said head coach Peter Bond, "this team (Fresno Pacific) is a talented group offensively, and we were able to handle them by executing the game plan and being solid. From top-to-bottom, they can really shoot the ball and we limited them to just a few good looks."
 
In the second half, Azusa Pacific maintained a double-digit lead throughout. The Sunbirds smallest deficit in the final 20 minutes of action came with a little over two minutes remaining in the game, as the Cougars held a 14-point lead at 71-57 with 2:17 left on the clock. The Sunbirds would not score again in the game.
 
For the entire game, Azusa Pacific went 29-for-54 (54%) from the floor, including 11-for-28 (40%) from three. The Cougars posted significant advantages in rebounding, as they outrebounded Fresno Pacific by a 35-21 margin, and also received 28 points from the reserves while the Sunbirds scored 14 bench points. Defensively, the Sunbirds were held to 40% shooting (23-for-59), including 7-for-30 (24%) shooting from beyond-the-arc.
 
"Our energy was excellent tonight," said Coach Bond, "we had the attitude and effort that is needed to get victories on the road. I felt we maintained the intensity for the majority of the game and were able to withstand any runs they made. We are looking forward to getting ready for our PacWest home openers this upcoming week."
 
Azusa Pacific will host two PacWest opponents before the Christmas break. The Cougars take on Holy Names on Thursday, Dec. 19, followed by a meeting with Point Loma on Saturday, Dec. 21.