AZUSA, Calif. – The Cougars dug a deep hole early and were unable to rally, falling to Hawai'i Pacific by a final score of 82-75 Monday evening inside the Felix Event Center.  The loss came despite another spectacular effort from senior forward Shad Thomas, who had 22 points and 22 rebounds on the night.

How It Happened:  Hawai'i Pacific took the lead one minute into the game and never gave it back, blowing the game open with a 28-11 run that gave the Sharks a 16-point lead with eight minutes left in the first half.  Thomas was the only person keeping the Cougars within shouting distance, having scored 10 of the Cougars' first 12 points.  Still trailing 33-17 with five minutes left in the half, a Thomas three sparked a small run by the Cougars that would cut the deficit to nine points by halftime.

Early in the second, the hot streak continued, as DM Sanders scored 11 straight points for the Cougars that pulled them within one at 49-48.  But that was as close as Azusa Pacific would get, as the Sharks scored consecutive threes to retake a multiple score advantage, then making five free throws in a single trip down the floor courtesy of a technical foul to regain a double-digit advantage at 65-53 with 11 minutes remaining, and the Cougars would be unable to get closer than nine points again until the final minute of the contest.

By the Numbers:  Thomas put up 22 points and 22 rebounds to go with 3 steals and 2 blocks.  He was joined in double figures in scoring by Sanders (19), Tobias Aisien (17), and Parker Christensen (11 points and 6 assists).  The Cougars made a season-high 14 three-point shots in the game, but they needed a season-high 45 tries to do so.  Hawai'i Pacific's bench played a key role on offense, outsourcing the Cougar reserves 28-5.  Azusa Pacific leads the all-time series 19-10, including 9-3 in the Felix Event Center.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (6-12, 4-9 PacWest) will close out their four-game home stand on Thursday against Concordia.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.