Domincan Rallies to Beat Cougars

Box Score SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- Dominican used a 13-5 run late in the game to chase down Azusa Pacific and rally for 61-58 PacWest Conference victory over the Cougars, Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 46-41 with 8:33 left in the game, the Penguins began their march back, capped by Nathan Ilunga's back-to-back 3-point baskets that put the Penguins up 54-51 with just over 3 minutes left in the game. Azusa Pacific could not catch Dominican as the Penguins made 4 free throws in the final 40 seconds to keep APU at bay.

The game was far from an exposition on shooting. The 2 teams combined to miss 78-of-122 shots, each shooting an identical 22-for-61 from the floor (.361). Nonetheless, Dominican's Darius Best managed to tally a game-high 16 points. Jaayden Bush added 14. Ilunga was the only Penguin to shoot over .500 from the floor, drilling 3-of-5 shots, which included his final 2 treys of the game.

Sophomore Michael Saba, who is playing the best basketball of his young Cougar career, led Azusa Pacific with 12 points off the bench on the 5-of-7 shooting from the floor. Charlie Gehler added 11, and Ethan Speaker dropped in 10 points.

Domincan has now won 3 straight over Azusa Pacific, the Penguins' longest winning streak over the Cougars' in the series' 30-year history. Azusa Pacific still leads the over series with Dominican, 20-6.

With the win Dominican evens its record at 7-7 overall, 1-1 in PacWest play. The Cougars fall to 4-4 overall, 1-1 in the PacWest as well.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Michael Saba: F; 6' 8"; Freshman

#11 Ethan Speaker: F; 6' 7"; Redshirt Junior

#12 Charlie Gehler: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#2 Michael Saba
: 6' 8"; Freshman
: F

#11 Ethan Speaker
: 6' 7"; Redshirt Junior
: F

#12 Charlie Gehler
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: G

Players Mentioned

#2 Michael Saba

#11 Ethan Speaker

#12 Charlie Gehler

Players Mentioned

#2 Michael Saba

#11 Ethan Speaker

#12 Charlie Gehler