HILO, Hawaii – Azusa Pacific traveled to the University of Hawaii-Hilo on Saturday for their final matchup on the islands. A commanding performance saw the Cougars leave with a victory.

APU took the Vulcan defense by storm, putting on a well-rounded offensive display which included a monstrous 10-14 (71.4%) from behind the arc. Sadie Pierce led the Cougars in scoring with 14, while Audrey Sayoc provided a game high 8 assists. Rome Falcocchia dominated the paint, grabbing 6 offensive and 8 defensive rebounds. 

The first quarter of the game proved to be a back and forth affair as the Cougars and Vulcans exchanged baskets. While APU led for the majority of the quarter, Hilo managed to keep the game close, and a last second 3-pointer from Sayoc saw the Cougars up by 5 at the end of the quarter. 

Azusa Pacific opened the floodgates in the second quarter, out-scoring Hilo 27-12. To close out the half Calista Arzaga stole the ball and made a fastbreak layup, sending APU into the break up by 20. APU carried this momentum into the second half as they continued to build on their lead. With four minutes remaining in the game, a Sadie Pierce 3-pointer put Azusa up by 36, the largest deficit of the game. The two teams traded free throws to finish the game as APU won 90-59.

Inside The Box Score

• Azusa Pacific had six different players reach double digit scoring tallies – the most in a game this season 

• Rome Falcocchia grabbed 14 rebounds, the most of any Cougar this season

• Lauren Jones has now scored 10 or more points in fourteen of the last fifteen games

• APU improves their winning streak against the Vulcans to 18 straight games

• The Cougars shot 71.4% from behind the three point arc, a season high (54.8% prev.)

Up Next: Azusa Pacific (19-8 and 11-2 in the PacWest) look ahead to their final home matchup of the regular season, when they host the Westmont College Warriors. Tipoff for Senior Night scheduled for 5:30pm on Thursday, February 26th at the Felix Event Center.