Darien McClain led the way with 22 points for the Cougars. (Photo by Duane Barker).
By Tim Peterson
(Glendora) – Darien McClain scored 22 points including a rim rattling jam in the closing seconds to put the icing on an 84-72 Azusa Pacific victory over Biola Saturday night at Felix Event Center.
McClain got loose on a break away after a steal and threw it down from the left side sending a jolt of electricity through the crowd as the clock wound down. McClain did it inside and outside hitting 8 of 13 from the field and 3 of 6 from three point land.
Azusa Pacific hit seven three pointers and shot over 60 percent from the field in the first half to open up a 43-26 lead at the break. McClain hit a pair of threes to spark an 8-0 run to give the Cougars an early 11-4 lead. McClain had seven points in the half. Jake Spurgeon had 10 including a three that gave APU a 36-22 advantage.
Tyson Kanseyo threw one down that sparked the APU faithful with just over five minutes left in the half. Kanseyo had six first half points.
Trevor Treinen scored 10 for Biola and Alex Talma had six. Biola shot 41 percent from the field in the first half.
Tyson Kanseyo had six points including an electrifying jam in the first half. (Photo by Duane Barker).
McClain’s three point play in the lane and another driving lay-up extended the Cougars lead to 59-41 in the second half. But a quick 5-0 Biola run cut it to 13 leading to a Cougar timeout.
A trey from the top of the key by Biola’s Levi Auble cut the APU margin to 64-55 as the Eagles tried to get back in it. But it was McClain who had an answer again with a long three to make it a 12 point margin and the Cougars led 67-55 with 7:20 left.
Will Ferris hit two huge threes down the stretch to keep the Eagles at bay. The second one put the Cougs up 73-60 with four minutes to play.
Azusa Pacific was never really threatened the rest of the way as the closest Biola got was within eight points at 80-72.
Will Ferris had 17 for the Cougars. (Photo by Duane Barker).
Ferris finished with 17 including three from long range. He was 6 for 10 from the field overall. Jake Spurgeon and Selom Mawugbe each scored 11 points. Mawugbe was effective inside as he also pulled down eight rebounds. The Cougars shot 58 percent from the floor for the game and 46 percent (12 for 26) from the land of plenty.
For Biola Talma led the way with 19 points and Auble had 13. Trevor Treinen and Alex Wright each scored 12. Biola shot 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from behind the arc.
The Cougars improved to 11-8 on the season and 8-4 in the PacWest Conference. Biola fell to 9-8 and 5-6.
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