SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Despite a blistering start, the Cougars were once again unable to snap their current skid, falling to Dominican 104-91 Monday evening inside the Conlan Center.

How It Happened:  The Cougars got off to their best start of the season, shooting-wise, making 8 of their first 10 three-point attempts.  This hot streak carried the Cougars to a double-digit lead midway through the first half, and that lead would be stretched to as many as 15 in the opening half at 44-29 before a late Penguin run to cut the edge to just five at halftime.  It was the best offensive half of the season for Azusa Pacific, as the Cougars shot 60% from the field in the opening 20 minutes.

Dominican carried their hot finish to the first half over into the second, quickly eliminating what was left of the Cougars' edge.  Momentum shifted constantly in a game that saw 13 ties and 21 lead changes.  DM Sanders stepped up, scoring 15 of his team-high 20 points in the second half.  And after Shad Thomas made the team's 13th and final three-pointer of the evening, the Cougars found themselves once again ahead 83-81 with six minutes remaining.  But Dominican would score the next 11 points and that would be enough to hold up the rest of the way.

By the Numbers:  Thomas collected his 10th double-double of the season and his seventh in the last eight games, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds.  Five Cougars scored in double figures, including EJ Bryson (16 points and 6 assists), Caleb Oden (12 points) and Tobias Aisien (10 points off the bench).  The Cougars made 17 of their first 19 free throws in the game, but then went just 3-9 down the stretch.  The Cougars shot 50.9% from the field for the game and a season-best 44.8% from beyond the arc, but could not keep pace with Dominican's scorching 56.4% at the other end of the court.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (6-15, 4-12 PacWest) will look to snap their six-game losing streak against the most recent team they defeated when they host Vanguard on Thursday evening.  Tipoff in the Felix Event Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.