The victory is Azusa Pacific’s seventh in a row, and the Cougars’ 17th in the past 18 games.
The 2 teams traded baskets for the first 6 minutes of play before the Cougars took off, using a fast-paced tempo to go on a 19-6 run, taking control of the game at 38-21 with 7 minutes left in the first half. GSAC Player of the Year candidate Monica Somers scored 15 consecutive points for Azusa Pacific in a 4-minute stretch to highlight the outburst. She continually penetrated the key, scoring 6 points on lay-ups, another 6 on free throws, and just to prove her diversity, she buried a long-range 3-pointer.
Somers finished with a team-high 22 points, 17 of which came in the first half, when she guided the Cougars to a gaudy 55 points an 18-point halftime lead. Azusa Pacific was on fire, converting 18 of their first 33 shots (.545) which included a sizzling 8-for-12 clip at the arc.
The early onslaught left little doubt about the outcome. Hope International could cut the deficit to no less than 14 points in the second half, as Azusa Pacific used a variety of players for its offensive attack.
Junior forward Abby Johnson chipped in with 18 points while freshman center Kristel Eddington came off the bench to tally 10 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
Junior guard Sarah Leather scored 13 points on the strength of 4 three-pointers to move to within 1 trey of the Allison Box’s school career record of 172 3-point field goals made.
The Cougars were so efficient in the fast-break and half-court offenses that 26 of their 29 made field goals came off assists. Both Leathers and Kristy Urbick handed out a game-high 6 assists.
Hope International was paced by Jasmine Nault’s game-highs 25 points and 12 rebounds. Sarah Nylander added 20.
With the victory Azusa Pacific improves to 19-4 overall, 11-3 in the GSAC. Hope International falls to 8-14 overall, 3-11 in the GSAC.
