AZUSA, Calif. — Azusa Pacific men's basketball was defeated for the first time in the Felix Event Center this season in a high scoring affair that saw Point Loma win 94-88. With the defeat, the Cougars eight-game win streak that saw them grab hold of the top spot in the Pacific West conference was snapped dropping them to 14-7 overall and 11-3 in conference action.

Ken West led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Nate Kleppe had 18 points and seven rebounds. Guards Hayden Gray and Terrence Becvar also performed well, tallying 15 and 14 points respectively with Gray leading the team in assists and steals with five apiece.

How it Happened: The Sea Lions jumped out of the gate with the early lead, their largest of the first half was an eight-point advantage that came just four minutes into the game. Azusa Pacific made a little 7-2 run to get back within three as Kleppe had five of his 18 during the small stretch. 

It wasn't until just under 14 minutes into the half when the Cougars would gain the lead for the first time in the game. Becvar was the one to do it, knocking down his first triple of the game to make it 27-26. The lead would then change 10 times in the final six minutes of the first half as the Cougars fought off foul trouble down the stretch to be within two points at the break, 44-42.

In the second half, Point Loma never relinquished the lead and would stretch it up to as many as 11. Each time the Sea Lions looked to pull away, the Cougars offense kept them within striking distance.

With just under 12 minutes to play, Azusa Pacific trailed 65-54 before an 8-0 run got the Cougars back in the game. During that stretch, Trevon Ary-Turner and Ben Avera each hit threes in between a pair of West free throws that made it 65-62.

The Sea Lions continued to strike from downtown however, keeping them in front. A Baxter Hughes three increased Point Loma's advantage back up to eight with just eight minutes to play before a West layup and a Gray steal and bucket brought the deficit to 70-66. A couple of minutes later, another West lay-in brought the score within three, but Ben Okhotin drilled one of his four triples in the second-half to keep the Cougars down six, 76-70 with four minutes to play.

Turning Point: Becvar found the bottom on a three-pointer on the next possession, but Point Loma's Kaden Anderson answered back with his final three of his game-high 25 points. Becvar drilled another triple back the other way to make it 79-76, once again it was a Sea Lion triple, this time Okhotin's wide open corner three upped the ante back to six points with just three to play. The Cougars weren't able to muster up a comeback from that point on, trailing by at least two-possessions the rest of the way.

By the Numbers: Azusa Pacific shot 46% (29-63) from the field but Point Loma shot it at a 57% clip (28-for-49) from the floor and 56% (13-for-23) from beyond the arc. The Sea Lions scored 94 points for the second time this season on the Cougars, the most Azusa Pacific has allowed this season. Neither team turned the ball over much in the game, the Cougars accounted for six turnovers which is the second-lowest of the season.

Up Next: The Cougars will play their final game at home this season on Wednesday, February 16th against Concordia. Azusa Pacific will celebrate seniors, Terrence Becvar, Ben Avera, Sasha French, Trevon Ary-Turner, and Dillon Waikle in which they will play their final collegiate game at home in the Felix Event Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., join us for the Senior Day festivities before the game begins. If you are unable to make the game in person (500 person capacity), watch our FREE live stream here, or follow along with live stats here.