Cougars Survive First Round, 66-64

Ken West, getting to the rim here, hit a three ball with 4.5 seconds left that was the game winner for APU. (Photo by Duane Barker).

By Tim Peterson

(San Bernardino) – Ken West hit a three pointer with 4.5 seconds left to lift Azusa Pacific to a 66-64 win over Point Loma Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Division 2 Tournament at Cal State San Bernardino.

Terrance Becvar also hit a three with 40 seconds left to make it 63-60 but Point Loma’s Kaden Anderson, who was the go to guy for the Sea Lions all night, buried a three to tie it at 63 with 20 seconds left.

Hayden Gray makes a move for the Cougars. (Photo by Duane Barker).

After a free throw cut it to 66-64 Ben Okhotin had one final shot off a rebound to get Point Loma even but it fell off the rim and the Cougars advanced.

Anderson had a huge night leading all scorers with 32 points shooting 11 of 20 from the field including 3 of 6 from three point land. He also pulled down 13 rebounds. However his heroic effort wasn’t enough.

In the first half Azusa Pacific broke a 15-15 tie with a 6-0 run to go up 21-15 with just under 10 minutes left in the first half.

The Cougars then opened up an 11 point lead at 29-18 but the Sea Lions came storming back to outscore APU 14-5 down the first half stretch to cut the led to two, 34-32, at the break.

Point Loma came out of the gate quickly in the second half and went on a quick 7-3 run to lead 39-37 at the 15:48 mark. With the game tied at 40, APU went on a 7-0 run to go up 47-40.

The Cougars still had a 55-47 advantage with 8:59 left at the media timeout. Anderson was carrying the Sea Lions at that point with 24 points hitting 8 of 15 from the field.

The Cougars seemed to be in control but Point Loma proceeded to go on an 11-3 sprint to tie the contest at 58 with 3:32 left.

The two teams battled down the final three minutes before West’s three proved to be the game winner. It was the first three ball of the night for West who finished 1 of 4 from downtown and 4 of10 from the field overall to lead the team with 13 points.

Hayden Gray and Becvar each had 12 for the Cougs while Trevon Ary-Turner had 9 and McKelary Robertson, who was injured earlier in the year, finished with 7.

After Anderson’s 32, there was a big drop off for Point Loma. Brock MacKenzie had 11, Okhotin scored 9. Anderson kept the Sea Lions in the game all night.

Azusa Pacific outrebounded Point Loma 35-33.

The Cougars now advance to the second round where they will play Alaska Fairbanks, who stunned San Marcos, Saturday night.

Leave a Reply