FRESNO, Calif. – Azusa Pacific returned to the court for the first time since December 20th to face off against Fresno Pacific Saturday. After back-to-back clutch scoring possessions from both teams, it was the Sunbirds who came out on top after a game-winning free throw.
Azusa Pacific's leading scorer, McKelary Robertson, recorded 17 points and 3 rebounds, followed by Nate Kleppe with 13 points after going perfect from the free throw line. Allan McBride had a 12 point contribution and 7 rebounds as well.
How it Happened: The Cougars started off strong opening up with a 11-2 lead. This was the biggest lead of the game for either team.
Within a few minutes into the game, it seemed that both teams had dusted off the rust of four weeks without games and instantly turned the game into a back and forth battle. Fresno Pacific took their first lead of the game with about 11 minutes left of the half then scored another triple to put them up 21-16 against the Cougars.
A few plays later, Hayden Gray was able to force a turnover, score off a controlled drive to the basket, then capped the play off with a made free throw to tie the game back up. Within the next minute, Azusa Pacific came back to life as Ken West had a big block resulting in a breakaway slam dunk from McBride to put the team up 26-22.
Both teams went back and forth from here but it was APU who remained in control of the lead most of the half. Ben Avera hit a clutch three-pointer followed by a layup from Kleppe to put the team at a 35-31 advantage. The teams kept battling when the Sunbirds finished with a pair of triples to send the game into halftime tied at 40-40.
This time it was Fresno Pacific that took the early lead after scoring a three to start the second half of play. Robertson's rare four-point play followed by another three-pointer gave the Cougars a 53-49 advantage.
Turning Point: With 1:30 left to go, Robertson hit a clutch field goal and free throw to make it a two-point game. The Sunbirds would get fouled on the other end, making 1 of 2 free throws. Off an offensive board, Fresno Pacific fouled West who made both putting the team up 70-67.
With 33 seconds left, Fresno Pacific answers with a triple to tie the game at 70-apiece before a clutch block on the defensive end led to the Sunbirds final possession that ended with a foul call in the final second.
They made the first free throw putting them up 71-70 with .05 seconds left in the game. The Sunbirds intentionally missed the second shot and forced time to run out before APU was able to get a shot off.
By the Numbers: Statistically, the teams were pretty identical throughout the game. The Cougars led from the free throw line shooting 85.7%, 12-14. However the team shot 25-58 altogether against Fresno Pacific's 24-48 field goal attempts.
What kept Azusa Pacific in the game was their ability to capitalize off their offensive rebounds by scoring 20 points off second and third chance put ups. They also led with 5 blocks, 14 offensive rebounds, and 24 defensive rebounds.
Up Next: The Cougars will have a week to prepare for their four-game home stand which begins on Saturday, January 22nd. They will host Hawai'i Hilo at the Felix Event Center at 4:30 p.m.
