Butler and Zea combined for 49 points on 16-for-23 shooting to lead the NAIA’s No. 15-ranked Azusa Pacific to a convincing 101-90 victory over No. 7 San Diego Christian in the semifinals of the GSAC Postseason Tournament at Hope International.
The victory propels Azusa Pacific back into the GSAC Tournament championship game for the seventh straight year where they will meet No. 5 Concordia Tuesday (March 6) at 7:30 p.m. at Hope International. It will be the fourth time in the past 5 years that Azusa Pacific and Concordia have met in the title game.
Butler, a 2-time All-GSAC selection, was at his best tonight, tallying 24 points on 8-for-11 shooting while collecting 6 rebounds and a career-high 6 steals. It is the highlight a 2-week explosion in which the Las Vegas native is averaging 18.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.7 assists, all the while shooting a .618 (42-for-68) clip from the floor over the past 6 games.
“I’ve really been focused lately,” said Butler. “I think I’ve been mentally and physically prepared for the GSAC Tournament, because in my mind, we have a point to prove to the rest of the conference – that we really are the best team.”
By Azusa Pacific standards, it has been somewhat of a disappointing season for the Cougars, who nonetheless will be making their 12th straight appearance in the NAIA Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., beginning March 14. Yet, the Cougars didn’t win the GSAC regular-season title for the first time in 5 years and for only the second time in the past 15 seasons. Rather they finished tied for third, losing 6 conference games, and admittedly Butler was less than sparking in 3 of those losses.
“What we did tonight, we should have done all through the season,” said Butler of the Cougars’ dismantling of San Diego Christian.
The Cougars were on fire from the opening tip, making 21-of-32 shots in the first half to roll out to a 51-40 halftime lead. At one point, they made 9 straight shots to turn a 25-21 lead into a 46-32 advantage following a Mike Danielian trey.
Butler was all over the court, registering 11 first-half points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in 16 minutes of play. He opened the game with a trey to loosen the Hawk defense and then spent the rest of the evening dribbling over and around SDCC defenders.
“Demario is playing so well right now,” said Cougar coach Bill Odell. “I think he is realizing that it is at the end of his college career, and he has picked up his energy and focus.”
“I know I can pretty much score when I want to,” said Butler, “and I’m stepping up my game right now. I’ve been working in the gym a little extra and getting more shots up.”
Meanwhile, Zea was dropping shots from all over, making 8-of-12 shots, including 4 from beyond arc, to finish with a game-high 25 points. He complimented his offense prowess with a team-high 8 rebounds.
“My shot felt really, really, really good tonight,” said Zea. “I don’t know why, maybe because its tourney time. I know we have something to prove and wanted to send a message to San Diego Christian and Concordia that we’re not too far behind.”
Zea and Butler keyed a 9-0 run to start the second half, pushing the Cougar lead to 60-40, and in the blink of an eye San Diego Christian, which just 6 days ago clinched its first GSAC championship of any sport, now found itself in desperation mode. They turned to GSAC Player of the Year Rowan Gray, but the Cougars thwarted the 6-foot-8, 240-pound center, limiting him just 4 second-half points before fouling out with 5 minutes left in the game.
“We matched their physicality tonight,” said Odell. “In the past, we’ve backed away when they got physical with us, but tonight we came back at them.”
Nine different Cougars scored. Danielian and Todd Martin came off the bench to each tally 11 points.
San Diego Christian was paced by All-GSAC guard Drew Sanchez, who finished with 23 points. Rory Morgan had 18, 8 of which came in the final 3 minutes when the Hawks shaved a 91-74 Cougar margin down to single digits in the closing seconds.
With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 26-6.
