AZUSA, Calif. – While the hot shooting continued, the Cougars found themselves outshot and outworked on the glass by Western Washington, falling to the Vikings by a final of 88-82 Saturday night inside the Felix Event Center. Ethan Speaker led the team with 17 points in a losing effort.

How It Happened:  Azusa Pacific picked up right where they left off Friday evening, making three early three-point shots and jumping out to a 13-4 lead after just the opening four minutes. That would prove to be their largest advantage of the night. The Vikings slowly inched their way back closer, earning multiple chances routinely by grabbing 12 offensive rebounds in the first half alone. Western Washington finally caught the Cougars at 31-all with a little over four minutes remaining in the first half, and closed the opening 20 minutes on a 13-6 run to take a 40-37 lead into the locker room.  

The Cougars again pounced quickly coming out to start the second half, scoring on their first two trips down and starting on a 14-6 run to take a five-point lead.  After the teams traded baskets five minutes into the half, however, Western Washington went on a tear. The Vikings would take control of the game with a 19-4 run over the next six minutes, pushing the lead to double digits at 67-57. While the Cougars were able to cut the deficit to four on a pair of occasions late in the game, they never could get back within a single possession at any point over the final nine minutes.

By the Numbers: Western Washington shot 58% from the field in the second half to keep the Cougars at bay down the stretch, despite the Cougars themselves shooting 55% for the game. The Vikings grabbed 16 offensive rebounds for the game, converting them into 18 second-chance points. For the second consecutive game, the Cougars made more than half of their three-point attempts, making 11 out of 21. Joining Speaker in double figures for the Cougars were Michael Saba, who scored a career-high 16 points off the bench; Maui Sze with 14; and Jordan Hansen with 11. Speaker also led the team with 6 rebounds and 3 steals, while Sze dished out 5 assists. Western Washington has won three of the last four against Azusa Pacific, and takes a 4-3 lead in the all-time series.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific (2-2) continue non-conference play on Thursday when they host Cal State Los Angeles. Tipoff in the Felix Event Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.