LA MIRADA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific found its way back into the win column, holding Biola to 29% from the field for the game in a 65-44 victory in their first Cornerstone Cup battle of the season Saturday evening.

How It Happened:  Four different Cougars scored their first four baskets of the game as the visitors took a 10-3 lead in the opening three minutes.  From there, both teams clamped down on the defensive end, as the two sides would each be limited to a single basket for the remainder of the quarter, both from beyond the arc.  The Cougars held onto the ball for a large percentage of the quarter, thanks to nine offensive rebounds, but it only resulted in a seven-point advantage after one.

That would change in the second quarter, as the Cougars began to hit their shots.  Azusa Pacific hit 7 out of 15 tries in the second, including 5 out of 7 from beyond the arc, while holding the Eagles to 2-13 from the field themselves.  Lauren Jones made four three-pointers in the first half, outscoring the Eagles by herself over the opening 20 minutes, 14-13.  In all, the Cougars limited Biola to 4-25 shooting in the first half, while forcing 12 turnovers and building a 34-13 lead.

Biola made a small move in the third quarter, making more shots in the third than they did in the entire first half while forcing seven turnovers themselves.  But the Cougars kept the lead above 15 at all times and were still up by 17 at the end of the period.  Kelly Heimburger and Amayah Kirkman took over in the fourth, combining for 10 of the Cougars' first 12 points in the final quarter to put the margin out of reach.

By the Numbers:  Heimburger led the team with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Jones added 18 points and 3 assists.  Kirkman chipped in 13 points and 6 rebounds, while Audrey Sayoc had 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals.  Eight different Cougars had at least three rebounds, allowing the Cougars to win the battle of the boards 46-39.  Azusa Pacific forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 18 points.  With the win, the Cougars are now 9-2 in true road games this season.  The win also gives the Cougars another five points towards this year's Cornerstone Cup battle, bringing Azusa Pacific's lead as of the end of the game to 40-15.  It is the Cougars' third consecutive win over Biola and their 16th in the last 18 meetings.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (18-3, 12-2 PacWest) returns home for a showdown with Concordia.  Tipoff against the Eagles is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday.