AZUSA, Calif. – Three different players posted double-doubles for Azusa Pacific in an 88-70 victory over Hawai'i Hilo Thursday night at the Felix Event Center.

Senior Darien McClain posted a season-high 26 points, a career-high 12 assists, and went a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. Junior Jake Spurgeon also notched a double-double, as he finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds, and junior Selom Mawugbe finished a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, as he scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and added three blocks and three steals defensively.
 
How It Happened: Azusa Pacific created separation in the first half, as the Cougars entered the halftime locker room with a commanding 41-22 lead. McClain set the pace for the Cougar offense, as he assisted on 44% of the team's field goals in the first half, recording eight assists through the first 20 minutes. The Cougars shot 51 percent (18-for-35) from the floor in the first half, while holding the Vulcans to a 30 percent clip (9-for-30) from the floor. The Cougars made four shots from beyond the arc before halftime, while Hawai'i Hilo made just one triple.
 
Overall, the Cougars finished 33-for-59 (56 percent) from the floor, and Hawai'i Hilo was 25-for-68 (37 percent). Azusa Pacific controlled the glass, as the Cougars outrebounded the Vulcans by a 47-28 margin. Azusa Pacific also dominated in the paint, finishing with 54 points scored inside, while the Vulcans finished with 30 points in the paint.
 
Turning Point: Coming out of the halftime locker room, both teams looked sluggish to begin the second half. However, within the first four minutes of the second half, Azusa Pacific committed six turnovers which allowed Hawai'i Hilo to cut the deficit to 12 points at 48-36 with 15:50 left in the game. Over the next four minutes, the Cougar lead remained between 12 and 16 points, as the teams traded baskets back and forth. With 12:15 left in the game, the Cougars held a 55-43 lead but went on a 6-0 run on their next three possessions, and Hawai'i Hilo would get no closer than 15 points for the remainder of the contest.
 
Azusa Pacific Standouts: McClain, Spurgeon, and Mawugbe led the way for the Cougars. In addition to the trio, senior forward Tyson Kanseyo had a solid performance for the Cougars, scoring 9 points in 11 minutes of action off the bench. Kanseyo went 4-for-4 from the field, collected four rebounds, and had two assists in the game.
 
Hawai'i Hilo Standouts: Four different Vulcans scored in double figures, led by Kupaa Harrison, who finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Larry Bush and Denhym Brooke both scored 13 points, and James Griffin had 10 points.
 
Up Next: Azusa Pacific improved to 17-10 overall, and 14-6 in PacWest play. The Cougars close out the regular season with two PacWest opponents visiting the Felix Event Center. Azusa Pacific will welcome Academy of Art on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. The Cougars' final home game of the season is against Dominican on Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m., as seniors Will Ferris, Darien McClain, and Tyson Kanseyo will be honored pregame in recognition of Senior Night.