AZUSA, Calif. – The Cougars took a couple minutes to shake off the rust of the Christmas break, then stormed ahead for an 80-52 victory over Fresno Pacific Thursday evening inside the Felix Event Center. Four Cougars scored in double figures in the contest.
How It Happened: Playing their first game in two and a half weeks, the Cougars spotted the visitors a quick 8-0 lead before getting on the scoreboard themselves. After fighting their way back to level ground at 14-all, the Cougars would take the lead for good with a seven-possession stretch just after the halfway point of the first half that included 4 three-pointers and a Ken West dunk. By the time the run finally ended, it had stretched to 21-3 over a seven-minute stretch, putting the home team up 35-21.
Turning Point: Fresno Pacific had cut the deficit to seven points early in the second half at 40-33. Hayden Gray found West for a jumper, then blocked a shot in the lane at the other end. George Reidy would follow that up with another bucket, then West rejected what looked like a sure Sunbird layup back on the defensive end. Nate Kleppe would draw a foul and knock down both free throws, and the run would eventually reach 15-6. Azusa Pacific would lead by double digits the rest of the way, stretching the lead to as much as 30 in the final minute.
Inside the Numbers: Thirteen Cougars found their way into the contest and twelve of them would score. The bench came through with 37 points, led by Bryce Sloan's 12, which tied Gray for the team lead. Justin Hemsley and West each had 10. Hemsley also tied Kleppe for the team lead with seven rebounds. Gray had six assists while Sloan dished out four. The Cougars took excellent care of the basketball, committing just three turnovers all night. At the other end, Azusa Pacific converted 15 Sunbird turnovers into 27 points.
Up Next: Winners of three in a row, Azusa Pacific (11-3, 6-1 PacWest) come back to the Event Center floor on Saturday afternoon when they host Holy Names at 4:30 p.m. The game can be live streamed HERE.
