FRESNO, CALIF. -- Led by a record-setting performance by freshman Allison Box, the NAIA's No. 21-ranked Azusa Pacific cruised to a somewhat surprising 72-52 GSAC victory over Fresno Pacific.

Box led the Cougars with 18 points, thanks in part to 4-for-7 shooting from the 3-point arc. With 6:25 left in the game, Box buried her fourth 3-pointer of the night, giving her 103 treys on the season and breaking Stacy Sedwick's GSAC record of 102. Sedwick, now a Fresno Pacific assistant coach, set the original standard as a Sunbird senior last season.

"It was kind of ironic she got the record here," said Cougar coach Danielle Jorgenson. "Amy Lemm was saying she would take out Box's defender in order to let Allison get open for that fourth 3-pointer."

The Cougars controlled the game from the opening tip, going on a 14-6 run 7 minutes into the contest. Kristen Hurt's 3-pointer tied the game at 14-14, but Box followed with a pair of 3-balls to put the Cougars back up by 6 at 20-14. The hot-shooting Cougars made 17-of-27 first-half shots, including 4-of-5 treys, and built a 17-point (42-25) lead at the break. The second half was much of the same as the Cougars led by as many as 26 points before both coaches cleared their benches.

Box got plenty of help from her teammates. Amy Lemm (13 points), Jessica Herman (10) and Jennifer Barbone all reached double figures in scoring.

"I was excited about the record," said Box, "especially when I looked over at our bench and saw my teammates jumping up and down. It felt good to break the record but it felt even better to walk off the court with a big win."

The Cougars have now won 4 straight over Fresno Pacific, a first in series history. Fresno Pacific is the GSAC's all-time winningest program.

With the win, the Cougars improve to 21-5 overall, 12-3 in the GSAC and remain in a first place tie with No. 13-ranked Vanguard, which beat Westmont tonight.