AZUSA, Calif - Azusa Pacific men's basketball took down the Golden Eagles of Concordia, 78-53 to earn it's seventh straight win. The Cougars are now 8-2 to start the season (3-0 in PacWest play), which is the best start the program has had since the 2015-16 season. 

George Reidy and Ken West led the scoring for Azusa Pacific as Reidy had a team-high 15 points, with West collecting 14. Hayden Gray, Justin Hemsley and McKelary Robertson also joined them in double-figures, with Robertson having 11 of the Cougars 19 bench points. 

How it Happened: Azusa Pacific proved it's dominance on the court in the early minutes, going on a 10-point run to open the game, which was led by Gray's two jumpers in the paint and West knocking down two from beyond-the-arc. After Concordia collected it's first points of the game with the score at 12-4 in favor of the Cougars, Azusa Pacific's defense would hold the Golden Eagles to just one point compared to the Cougar's offensive surge in finding 18 points. For the remainder of the first half, Azusa Pacific held at least a 19-point lead over Concordia, with the advantage as high as 25 points in favor of the Cougars. 

Azusa Pacific shot 46.3% (13-for-28)  from the field and 50% (8-for-16) from beyond-the-arc in the first half. West went 4-for-6 from beyond-the-arc in the half, knocking down 14 points. 

With a bit of inconsistency to start the second half, the Cougars 22-point lead allowed them to work through plays to find their momentum and close the door on an attempted Golden Eagle's comeback. 

Turning Point: Leading by 14, Hemsley helped change the pace of the game and added momentum in the Cougars favor by knocking down two three-pointers and a jumper in the paint to give the Cougars a 58-39 lead. Reidy then tabbed four more points by way of a jumper and layup to add to a 21-point lead. A three by Gray, going 2-for-2 at the charity stripe for Robertson and a steal by Robertson that set up a dunk for Hemsley gave the Cougars a soaring 26 point lead over the Golden Eagles with five minutes remaining in the game. 

Azusa Pacific's offense would not let up there as Reidy, Robertson and Rico Hopping all knocked down one from beyond-the-arc to close out the game for the Cougars in winning fashion by a final score of 78-53.

By the Numbers: Azusa Pacific did not surrender their lead to the Golden Eagles for the entirety of the game. The Cougar's offense went 27-for-57, shooting 47.4% from the field and 16-for-34 from beyond-the-arc, knocking down 47.1% of three pointers taken. Azusa Pacific's defense limited Concordia to 38% shooting from the field, which was a team-low this season for the Golden Eagles.

As a team, the Cougars collected four blocks, four steals and 35 rebounds. Nate Kleppe picked up two blocks, while Robertson had two steals and Hemsley led the way with six rebounds in the game. Azusa Pacific also took advantage of second chances and turnovers, scoring 18 second chance points and 15 points off turnovers. 

Up Next: Azusa Pacific will face familiar foe in Point Loma this Saturday, December 11th in the Felix Event Center. Tip off for this big PacWest matchup will be at 4:30 p.m. If you cannot attend, you can watch for free HERE.