AZUSA, Calif. – Behind a career night from Lauren Jones and a dominant effort on the glass, Azusa Pacific pulled away from Hawai'i Hilo for a 75-64 PacWest win Thursday evening at the Felix Event Center.

The Vulcans struck first and controlled much of the opening quarter, closing the period with a three in the final seconds to take a 16-11 lead. Azusa Pacific kept pace early through second-chance opportunities, but had trouble finding rhythm from the floor in the opening 10 minutes.

The Cougars began to flip the game in the second quarter, trimming the deficit and eventually pulling within two at the break, 30-28. Audrey Sayoc sparked the push with a pair of transition threes, while Azusa Pacific's offensive rebounding continued to generate extra possessions and kept the Cougars within striking distance.

APU took full control coming out of halftime. The Cougars outscored Hilo 23-15 in the third quarter, using defense to fuel offense and turning live-ball turnovers into points. Jones caught fire from deep during the swing, knocking down multiple threes in the period, while Keisharna Lucas wreaked havoc defensively as the Cougars surged in front and carried a 51-45 lead into the fourth.

The Cougars never let the lead slip in the final quarter, continuing to win the possession battle with offensive rebounds and forcing Hilo into empty trips. Azusa Pacific poured in 24 points in the fourth to seal it, punctuating the night with transition scores and timely shot-making as the Cougars closed out the 11-point win.

Inside the Box Score:

• Jones led all scorers with 32 points, hitting 11-of-23 from the field and 6-of-14 from three while also adding three steals
• Sayoc finished with nine points and a game-high seven assists
• Lucas posted a strong all-around line with six points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
• Azusa Pacific dominated the glass 51-32, including 24 offensive rebounds, and turned defense into offense with 12 steals and an 18-8 edge in points off turnovers
• The Cougars also won the fast-break battle 18-4 while committing just 10 turnovers.