AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific will head into the Christmas break happy, as the Cougars overcame a 10-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to beat Point Loma by a 67-63 score. With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 9-3 overall, including a 3-0 start to PacWest action.
Kelly Heimburger delivered time and time again for the Cougars, as the standout forward finished with a career-high 27 points, while also collecting eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Amayah Kirkman turned in a double-double effort for the Cougars, doing so by way of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Molly Whitmore scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and
Paige Uyehara added 10 points, five assists and five steals.
How It Happened: The Cougars threatened to grab control of the game midway through the second quarter, as a Heimburger jumper with 5:22 to go before halftime gave the hosts their largest lead of the game at 30-21. Point Loma would answer back, going on a 9-0 run to knot it up at 30-30 with 3:43 left before the break. It remained a one possession game over the remainder of the quarter, and the Cougars took a 37-35 lead into the locker room.
The Sea Lions grabbed momentum to open the third quarter, going on a 10-0 run over the first three and a half minutes of play to surge ahead 45-37. Point Loma would maintain the advantage throughout the quarter, out-scoring the Cougars by a 19-7 margin in the third. The visitors led by as much as 12 in the quarter (51-39, 3:04), and they entered the fourth up 54-44.
The Cougars quickly pulled within one possession at the start of the fourth, scoring on their first three possessions of the quarter to make it 54-51 Point Loma. While the Sea Lions were able to push the lead back up to five at 56-51 on their next possessions down the floor, Whitmore answered back with a layup (56-53, 6:35). While the Cougars were unable to take the lead over the next three minutes, the score remained within one possession and there were three ties.
With just a minute and half left the play, Azusa Pacific finally broke through to recapture the lead, as a Heimburger jumper put the Cougars on top at 62-61. The basket would put Azusa Pacific in front for good, completing the comeback to remain unbeaten in conference action.
By the Numbers: After turnovers threatened to undo the Cougars in the third period, as they committed nine which turned into 13 points for the Sea Lions, Azusa Pacific had just two turnovers in the fourth quarter. Over the final 10 minutes of play, the Cougars went 9-for-13 from the floor, while holding Point Loma to just 3-for-16 shooting. Overall, Azusa Pacific finished at 47% from the floor (27-for-57), while the Sea Lions were 21-for-55 (38%).
Up Next: The Cougars will return to the court on Saturday, December 30, when they visit Concordia. Tip-off in Irvine is scheduled for 2:00 pm, and it will be FREE admission.
