AZUSA, Calif.-- On Senior Night at the Felix Event Center, Azusa Pacific got a complete performance and a big conference win Thursday, knocking off Westmont 76-61 in PacWest play.

The Cougars (20-8, 16-5 PacWest) made a statement win over Westmont after they entered the night 4th in the league standings and right behind the Warriors in third. Both teams have clinched berths in the PacWest Tournament next weekend.

APU and Westmont traded punches early in a tightly contested first quarter. Rome Falcocchia opened the scoring at the line, and after the Warriors briefly grabbed the lead, Lauren Jones knocked down her first three of the night to put the Cougars in front. Rachel Roderick added a pair of put-backs in traffic, and Audrey Sayoc drilled a late three-pointer to give APU a 19-18 edge after one.

Westmont opened the second quarter on a run to take a six-point lead, but the Cougars responded behind their seniors. Sayoc converted a steal into a fast-break layup, Falcocchia went 2-for-2 at the line to tie it at 25, and Jones buried a triple from the wing to swing momentum back to APU. Roderick controlled the glass during the stretch, converting second-chance opportunities and protecting the rim with two blocks. Jones knocked down another three in the final minute, and Roderick scored inside just before the buzzer to send APU into halftime up 36-31.

The Cougars seized control in the third. Falcocchia scored back-to-back baskets inside, Arzaga finished in transition off a Sayoc steal, and Jones added two free throws to push the lead to double digits. Midway through the quarter, Roderick converted a three-point play after a strong drive, and Jones followed with a deep three from the top of the key to extend the advantage to 54-42. APU outscored Westmont 21-13 in the period, taking a commanding 57-44 lead into the fourth.

Westmont trimmed the margin to 12 early in the final quarter, but Jones answered with another three off an offensive rebound to halt the run. Sayoc then converted back-to-back transition opportunities, one off her own steal, to stretch the lead to 64-51. Falcocchia added a fast-break layup, and Jones completed her double-double with a tip-in and a late layup in transition. The Cougars closed it out from there, securing the 76-61 Senior Night victory.

Leaders

• Lauren Jones posted a double-double in her final home game at the Felix Event Center, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds (5-for-8 from three).
• Audrey Sayoc added 15 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals.
• Rachel Roderick chipped in 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.
• Rome Falcocchia finished with nine points and six rebounds.
• Calista Arzaga added eight points and four assists.

Team notes

• APU shot 42.4% (28-for-66) from the field and hit 10 three-pointers, while forcing 16 Westmont turnovers and converting them into 23 points. The Cougars also held a 44-39 rebounding advantage.
• Scoring by quarter
• Westmont: 18 | 13 | 13 | 17 -- 61
• Azusa Pacific: 19 | 17 | 21 | 19 -- 76

Senior Night Celebration:  Azusa Pacific celebrated Senior Night by honoring five seniors, and the Cougars started all five in Thursday's win: Audrey Sayoc, Calista Arzaga, Rome Falcocchia, Lauren Jones, and Keisharna Lucas.

Up next: Azusa Pacific closes the regular season Saturday at rival Biola in La Mirada. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.