AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific rang in the new year with a hard-fought 68-61 victory over Hawai'i Hilo Thursday evening inside the Felix Event Center.  Four starters scored in double figures in the contest as the Cougars improved their record to 11-3 on the season.

How It Happened:  After a slow start in the opening minutes, the Cougars' backcourt took control of the opening quarter, putting together a 15-2 run that gave the home team the lead for good.  Paige Uyehara made a pair of three-point shots and Amayah Kirkman added five points of her own in the opening frame as the Cougars built a 19-9 lead after one.  Hilo would keep things close throughout, however, staying within shouting range thanks to a red-hot second quarter in which the visitors made 8-12 field goal attempts.  Molly Whitmore had eight points of her own in the quarter to keep the Cougars in front, and a Kirkman layup in the final minute of the half gave the Cougars a seven-point advantage at intermission.

The Cougar starters continued to trade control of the offense, and in the third it was Kelly Heimburger's turn to take the lead, scoring eight points in the third quarter.  However, the Vulcans were able to whittle the lead down to just four points by the end of the frame at 50-46.  But every time the Vulcans got close, the Cougars had an answer, with six different players scoring for the home side in the final quarter, highlighted by a sequence with 4:15 left where Heimburger blocked a layup on the defensive end, corralled the loose ball, and drove coast-to-coast for a layup of her own, putting the Cougars up 60-53.  Azusa Pacific would score their final eight points of the evening from the free throw line to seal the victory.

By the Numbers:  Heimburger and Kirkman tied for the scoring lead for the Cougars with 16 points apiece.  Heimburger added in eight rebounds and five blocks.  Whitmore had 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Uyehara chipped in 11 points, four assists, and three steals.  The Cougars were able to convert 14 turnovers into 20 points, and got to the free throw line 18 times in the second half to keep the Vulcans at bay.  This was the Cougars' seventh consecutive win this season, and their 14th in a row against Hawai'i Hilo, a streak that goes back to 2015.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (11-3, 5-0 PacWest) continues their five-game homestand on Saturday afternoon when they host Chaminade in the Felix Event Center.  Tipoff is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.