AZUSA, Calif. – The Cougars were unable to overcome an ice-cold second quarter in a rematch from last March's NCAA tournament, falling 62-46 against Western Washington Saturday night inside the Felix Event Center.  Kelly Heimburger led the team in defeat with 17 points.

How It Happened:  Azusa Pacific was on the back foot pretty much from the start, turning the ball over on their first two possessions and falling into a quick 5-0 hole.  However, the defense was able to increase the pressure and hold the Vikings to just 4-12 shooting in the quarter, while five different Cougars scored among their first six baskets, including a Paige Uyehara layup that gave the Cougars what would prove to be their only lead of the night at 13-12.  The Vikings would make three free throws in the final minute of the quarter to take the lead 15-13 after one.

The second quarter would prove to be the Cougars' undoing, as they shot just 2-16 from the field, including 0-7 from beyond the arc.  Western Washington would pull away down the stretch of the first half, scoring the final 10 points of the quarter to take a 29-19 advantage into the locker room.

Down 13 early in the third quarter, the Cougars needed a spark and found one in the form of Amayah Kirkman, who knocked down the only two 3-point shots the Cougars would hit all night as part of a 10-0 run that drew the Cougars back within a single possession at 32-29 with 4:25 remaining in the period.  But the Vikings had an answer, promptly scoring seven in a row themselves to regain a double-digit lead.  The Cougars would not get closer than six again the rest of the way.

By the Numbers:  Heimburger was the only Cougar in double figures with 17 points.  The Cougar bench combined for just two points on nine shot attempts, and the team as a whole shot just 27.3% from the field on the evening.  Kirkman proved a nuisance going after loose balls on the evening, grabbing nine rebounds and four steals.  While the Cougars were a plus-9 in turnovers (forcing 21 while committing only 12), both teams were able to convert those miscues into identical totals of 13 points.  This was Western Washington's first win in Azusa in 30 years.  The Cougars still lead the all-time series, 8-6.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (4-2) continue their non-conference homestand on Tuesday when they host preseason CCAA favorite Cal State Los Angeles at 5:30 p.m.