AZUSA, Calif. — Behind a balanced offensive attack and a clinical performance from beyond the arc, Azusa Pacific extended its winning streak to five games on Thursday night with an 84-74 victory over rival Biola in the Cornerstone Cup at the Felix Event Center.

The Cougars (9-4, 5-1 PacWest) overcame an early 10-point deficit in the second quarter to handle the Eagles (5-6, 2-4 PacWest) in front of a home crowd of 208. Audrey Sayoc led the charge for APU with a team-high 19 points, adding four assists in a complete performance. Lauren Jones was equally vital, matching her backcourt partner's versatility with 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists while knocking down four triples.

Biola's Laney Grider delivered a game-high 28 points and kept the Eagles competitive through the final frame, but APU's depth proved too much to overcome. The Cougars' bench outscored Biola's reserves 22-3, spearheaded by an explosive 18-point outing from Elyse Mitchell, who shot a near-perfect 7-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-4 from three-point range.

Rome Falcocchia added 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting for the Cougars, while Keisharna Lucas contributed eight points and six boards. Biola also saw strong efforts from Hanne Nybo (17 points) and Jaycee Goldsmith, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific continues its climb up the PacWest standings, riding the momentum of five consecutive wins as they prepare for the heart of conference play.

Box Score Highlights

Azusa Pacific:  Keisharna Lucas – 8 Assists, 2 Blocks, 2 Steals and 6 Rebounds

Biola: Laney Grider – 28 Points, 5 Rebounds, 8-8 Free Throws

Key Stats & Notes

• APU led the game for 20 minutes and 4 seconds of the contest.
• The Cougars had a 34-32 advantage over the Eagles in the Points in the Paint category.
• Biola held a 35-24 rebound advantage.
• Dan Ploog is the first Cougar Head Coach to win their debut game against Biola since TJ Hardeman.

Up Next
The Cougars will look to keep the win streak alive with a home matchup against Jessup at 11:00 AM.