AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific claimed its third consecutive win over rival Biola on Saturday night, as the Cougars knocked off the visiting Eagles by a 87-66 final.
 
Azusa Pacific received huge performances from the Aussie, Brennan Rymer, and Selom Mawugbe, who combined for 49 points on the evening. Mawugbe led all scorers with 25 points, and Rymer was just behind him at 24 points. Mawugbe was 9-for-11 from the floor, as well as 7-for-8 from the free throw line. He also had seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal. Rymer scorched the Eagles from deep, knocking down eight triples in the game. In addition to his shooting, Rymer hauled in six rebounds. Three Cougars added nine points in support of the dynamic duo; Jake Spurgeon, Ben Avera and Terrence Becvar. Noah Bundrant once again had a significant impact on the game by way of eight rebounds and four assist, while also collecting two steals on the defensive end.
 
Through the first nine minutes of action, Azusa Pacific was able to grab momentum and take a 23-13 lead at the 11:10 mark in the first half. Biola would steadily chip away at the Cougar advantage, drawing within one point at 28-27 with 6:12 left before halftime. The Eagles would take the lead about 40 seconds later, as Biola's Marques Mosley knocked down a three-point to put the visitors up 30-28. The lead would not last long for the Eagles. On the ensuing possession, Mawugbe was able to convert a layup on which he was also fouled, and he knocked down the free-throw to finish the traditional three-point play. Mawugbe's sequence put Azusa Pacific back on top at 31-30, and the Cougars would not trail again for the rest of the night. The Cougars would close out the first half on a 14-5 run and take a 45-35 lead into halftime.
 
In the second half, Azusa Pacific maintained its double digit lead. With 9:46 remaining in the game, the Cougars held a 62-50 advantage. Over the remaining 9:14, Biola was unable to draw any closer than 15 points, and trailed by as much as 22 points at 85-63 with 1:04 left in the game.
 
"I was proud of our guys tonight," said head coach Peter Bond, "we did a great job of withstanding some of their runs by staying the course, not panicking, and just attacking them in the ways in which we have been successful this year."
 
One of the themes that has begun to develop this season for the Cougars has been high assist numbers. Against Biola, Azusa Pacific once again showed a knack for finding one another to the tune of 22 assists on 31 made field goals. Seven Cougars had two or more assists, led by four assists apiece from Mawugbe and Bundrant.
 
Another strength of the Cougars in 2019-20 has been the three ball, and they once again were dialed in from long range, knocking down 16 threes in the contest. Six different Cougars made a shot from beyond-the-arc.
 
Overall, Azusa Pacific shot 53% (31-for-58) from the floor, including 47% (16-for-34) from deep, while the Cougars held Biola to 43% (26-for-61) shooting overall and 37% (9-for-24) from three. The Cougars also outrebounded the Eagles by a 36-27 margin.