SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Azusa Pacific is headed to its 6th PacWest Tournament championship game in 7 years after taking control in the second quarter and never looking back in a 70-59 win over No. 2 Point Loma in Friday night's semifinal at Golden Gymnasium. The Cougars buried 10 three-pointers in the victory, with Lauren Jones and Audrey Sayoc leading the charge as APU pulled away late to secure its spot in Saturday's final.
How It Happened: The opening quarter was a struggle offensively for the Cougars, who managed just six points in the period and trailed 9-6 after 10 minutes. Lauren Jones scored the first APU basket on a transition layup, and Keisharna Lucas briefly put the Cougars in front late in the quarter, but Point Loma closed the frame with the final four points to regain the edge.
The second quarter completely changed the game. Jones opened the period with a game-tying three, and Sayoc followed with one of her own less than a minute later to give Azusa Pacific the lead for good. From there, the Cougars settled in on both ends, getting inside finishes from Rachel Roderick, Rome Falcocchia, Lucas, and Elyse Mitchell while continuing to stretch the floor from deep. APU outscored Point Loma 21-10 in the quarter and took a 27-19 lead into halftime.
Point Loma made a push in the third and trimmed the deficit to a single point midway through the quarter, but the Cougars had an answer each time. Falcocchia finished inside, Mitchell provided a spark with a layup and a three-pointer, and Calista Arzaga knocked down a big triple late in the period. Sayoc added a fastbreak layup in the closing seconds to help Azusa Pacific take a 42-37 lead into the fourth.
The Cougars then slammed the door in the final quarter. Jones caught fire from beyond the arc, drilling three fourth-quarter triples, while Falcocchia scored twice inside and Lucas added a three-pointer and a coast-to-coast finish off a steal. Sayoc capped the night with a late three of her own as Azusa Pacific poured in 28 points in the final 10 minutes to put the semifinal away.
By the Numbers: Jones led the Cougars with 16 points on four three-pointers, while Sayoc added 15 points and 8 assists. Lucas finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds, Falcocchia had 10 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals, and Mitchell chipped in 9 points off the bench. Roderick added 6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in another strong all-around effort. As a team, the Cougars shot 45.5 percent from three-point range and forced 14 turnovers.
Up Next: Azusa Pacific (23-8) advances to the PacWest Tournament final on Saturday, where the Cougars will face the winner of Westmont and Vanguard.
