LOS ANGELES, Calif. –  The miracle run Azusa Pacific has been on will continue for another day, as Bryce Sloan's free throw with 2.7 seconds remaining proved the difference in a 60-59 upset of Cal State Los Angeles in the West Region quarterfinals at University Gym on the campus of Cal State LA.

How It Happened:  After the Cougars fell behind 10-6 in the opening minutes, Sloan kicked off the Cougars' best run of the game with a three-pointer.  Over a span of nearly 5 ½ minutes, Azusa Pacific would go on a 12-0 run, during which the host Golden Eagles would go 10 possessions without a basket, turning the ball over three times in the process.  After another couple of Golden Eagle baskets, the Cougars' long range shooting clicked, knocking down 3 three-point shots in a span of five trips down the floor, building the lead to double digits for the first time at 29-18.  And when Michael Saba made a pair of free throws with 1:47 remaining in the first half, the Cougars would enjoy their largest lead of the night at 15 points, ultimately holding a 35-23 edge at halftime.

However, the Golden Eagles were the CCAA tournament champions and regional hosts for a reason, and the top seed came flying out of the gate in the second half, scoring the first 10 points of the half to cut the Cougars' lead to a single basket.  The Cougars would regain some breathing room with a 9-2 run of their own, only to see Cal State LA charge forward again, eventually tying the game and even taking a 53-51 lead with just over four minutes to play.

That's when Ethan Speaker rode to the rescue, the sophomore scoring three baskets down the stretch to key an 8-0 run that put the Cougars ahead 59-53 with under a minute.  They would need every last one of those points and the Golden Eagles pressed their way into three straight turnovers, tying the game in the process and giving themselves the ball with less than 30 seconds remaining.  But the Cougars' defense stiffened, forcing a backcourt violation and giving themselves the last chance in regulation.  On a wild pass into the paint, Sloan came flying in from the left wing to grab the ball and drew a foul as he went up for the shot.  The senior missed the first free throw, but made the second, and the Golden Eagles' desperation half-court heave was off the mark, giving Azusa Pacific another amazing chapter in this run.

By the Numbers:  Ken West was the leading scorer for the Cougars with 14 points and 7 rebounds.  He was joined in double figures by Speaker and George Reidy, who each had 11, with Reidy adding in 9 rebounds and 7 assists.  Sloan had 7 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals.  Trevan Martin came through with 7 points off the bench as the Cougars' reserves outscored their Golden Eagle counterparts 13-4.  The Cougars' defense held Cal State LA to 39% shooting from the field and just 6-26 from beyond the arc, and won the rebounding battle 34-30.  The win avenged a 70-68 loss the Cougars suffered on their home court to the Golden Eagles back in November.  This is the second time in three years that the #8 seed has upset the #1 seed in the West regional playoffs.  Azusa Pacific is now 7-5 all-time in the west regionals.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (15-16) moves on to the second round for the fifth time in six NCAA tournament appearances and will now face #5 seed Central Washington.  Game time at Cal State Los Angeles is set for 7:30 p.m.