Gray’s Three Lifts Azusa Pacific

Hayden Gray, shown here driving to the hoop, hit the game wining three for Azusa Pacific. (Photo by Duane Barker).

By Tim Peterson

(Glendora) – Hayden Gray hit a three pointer with 15 seconds left to lift Azusa Pacific to a 78-73 win over Hawaii Pacific Monday night at Felix Events Center.

McKelary Robertson scored 14 points for the Cougars. (Photo by Duane Barker).

After Gray’s three the Azusa Pacific defense forced a Hawaii Pacific turnover and Bryce Sloan hit two free throws with three seconds left to seal the deal.   

The Cougars were down by seven at the half but came out and outscored Hawaii Pacific 15-4 to open the second half to turn things around. The score was tied three times in the second half including at 73 when Gray hit the game winner.  

The game was also tied at seven at the first time out with over 14 minutes left in the first half. With the score still tied at 23 Hawaii Pacific went on a 15-7 run over the next five minutes to take a 36-28 lead with 2:49 left. The Sharks took a seven-point advantage into the half.

Bryce Sloan ignited the Cougars’ second half run with eight quick points. (Photo by Duane Barker).

Gray hit a three and led the Cougars with 11 points in the first half. McKelary Robertson hit two threes and had 10. Nate Kleppe added four but the Cougs were never able to get on an extended run. 

Melo Sanchez was 4 of 8 from the field and scored 12 in the first half to lead Hawaii Pacific. Marquis Moore had 10. The Sharks shot 50 percent from the field in the half while the Cougars made 40 percent of their shots. 

Bryce Sloan scored eight points including two three point plays the old-fashioned way as APU went on the 15-4 run to catch and pass the Sharks at 48-44.  

Ken West hit consecutive threes with five minutes left to put the Cougars up 67-63. After Nate Kleppe and Gray hit buckets with just under three minutes left the Cougars were up 71-65. 

But Hawaii Pacific battled back and when Mason Landdeck nailed a long trey from the corner it was tied at 71 with 1:54 left. 

It was still tied at 73 when Gray let the dagger fly with 15 seconds remaining, 

For the Sharks Moore led the team with 24 and Sanchez had 20. Landdeck finished with 10. Hawaii Pacific shot 44 percent from the floor for the game. 

Gray not only hit the biggest shot of the game he also led the team with 18 points. Robertson and West each had 14, Sloan scored 10 and Kleppe had 8. The Cougars were 43 percent from the field overall. 

With the win Azusa Pacific improved to 20-6 overall and 15-4 in the PacWest Conference. Hawaii Pacific fell to 9-17 and 5-13 in conference.

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