COSTA MESA, Calif. – The PacWest title race took another turn on Saturday evening as Vanguard completed a sweep of Azusa Pacific, downing the Cougars by a 67-52 final score inside the Freed Center.  Lauren Jones led the Cougars with 14 points in the game.

How It Happened:  Azusa Pacific looked to set the tone early and jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the opening two minutes of the contest, forcing a quick Vanguard timeout.  But after that early outburst, the Cougars went stagnant, scoring only two field goals in the remainder of the quarter, during which the Lions went on a 13-2 run to take a narrow lead by the end of the quarter at 13-12.

Try as they might, the Cougars never had the lead again in the contest.  Vanguard had an answer at every turn, usually in the form of a stifling defense that held the Cougars to just 8-31 shooting in the first half.  A 7-0 run by the Lions gave them a 23-15 lead midway through the quarter and Azusa Pacific was only able to climb back within five by the end of the half at 27-22.

Vanguard continued to dance just outside of shouting distance throughout the third period.  Sydney Hani gave the Cougars a brief hope spot with a three-point play with about three minutes remaining in the period to climb within four points, but the Lions again pulled away before a late Jones triple cut the deficit to six points by quarter's end at 45-39.  

While the Cougars' offense was able to get going at the start of the fourth quarter, making their first three attempts from the field in the quarter, each basket was simply an answer to a Vanguard made shot.  And even that brief spurt would run dry, as the Cougars were held without a made basket over the final four and a half minutes of the contest.

By the Numbers:  Just three days after setting a season-high with 40 made shots, the Cougars were held to their season low in both points (52) and field goals (19).  Jones had 14 points, while being joined in double figures by Kelly Heimburger (10 points, 7 rebounds) and Hani (11 points).  Amayah Kirkman ended up with 9 points, while Audrey Sayoc chipped in 8 rebounds and 6 assists.  The Cougars vaunted defense forced a season-low 10 turnovers in the contest, while the offense was held 24 points below its season average.

PacWest Implications:  With this loss, Azusa Pacific now sits at 19-4 on the season, 13-3 in PacWest play.  The Cougars are half a game behind Point Loma (whom they will host later this month) and also half a game ahead of Vanguard (who now owns the head-to-head tiebreaker).  

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific will be at home for their final four games of the regular season.  Up first is a showdown against Westmont on Wednesday.  Tipoff in the Felix Event Center is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.