JACKSON, Tenn. -- No. 5 seed Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University snapped a two year streak of first round losses with a 65-55 victory over No. 4 seed Southern Nazarene (Okla.) University. Junior center Kristie Hala'ufia scored a game-high 23 points, including 17 points in the first half.
Azusa Pacific jumped out to an 18-8 lead over the first six minutes of play, then stretching their lead to as many as 12 points with the 38-26 halftime score. The Cougars drained 5-of-12 three pointers (.417) in the first half, led by C.J. Hill's four three pointers in the period.
In the second half, Azusa Pacific pushed their lead to 13 points, 44-31, with 16:06 left in the game. Southern Nazarene, a seven-time NAIA national champion, slowly began to chip away at their deficit. Over the next nine minutes, the Crimson Storm posted a 16-8 run to get as close as five points, 52-47 with 7:23 left. However, Azusa Pacific, with the help of a 15-8 run over the final seven minutes, sealed their spot in the second round for the first time since 2006.
Hala'ufia added 12 rebounds to her 23 points for one-of-two double-doubles on the night for the
Cougars. Alex Moore-Porter scored 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Hill scored 15 points, including five three-pointers, while Michelle Byrd grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds for Azusa Pacific.
Southern Nazarene was led by Kinzie Didier with 18 points, while Abby Marra added 17 points off the bench.
Azusa Pacific (23-10) advances to the second round to face No. 1-seeded Lambuth (Tenn.) at 9:45 p.m. (Central time) on Friday. Southern Nazarene ends their season at 24-8.
