By Tim Peterson
(Azusa) – Nate Kleppe’s basket underneath with 54 seconds left gave Azusa Pacific an 87-85 lead and ultimately proved to be the game winner as the Cougars held on for the two-point win over Hawaii Hilo Thursday night at Felix Event Center.
Hawaii Hilo had two more opportunities but the Vulcans had an offensive foul and a missed three-pointer at the buzzer by Charles Elzie III on their last two possessions and the Cougars emerged with the victory.
Azusa Pacific was down by one at the half, 47-46, in a back and forth affair in which each team traded seven-point runs.
Ethan Speaker had 15 points and Kleppe and Ken West each had seven in the first half but Azusa Pacific was down by one at the half.
The Cougs were down by 7 but Kleppe hit a three pointer and scored underneath to spark a 7-0 run to tie it at 37.
Hawaii Hilo followed with a quick 7-0 run of its own to go back up 44-37.
Kalique “Snoop” Mitchell had 11 for the Vulcans along with Carlos Ramsey Jr. who also had 11 in the first half. Elzie led the team with 14 at the break.
Kleppe, West and George Reidy all knocked down threes to spark a 9-3 run to open the second half and give the Cougars a 55-49 lead.
Azusa Pacific still led 63-57 with 11:56 left. The teams exchanged punches the rest of the way as the game came down to the final second.
Hawaii Hilo, after being down by six, went on a 12-2 run to go up 69-65 but the Cougars responded.
Mitchell’s two free throws for Hawaii Hilo tied it 85 with 1:09 remaining. Kleppe then scored on the next possession and the Cougars hung on for the win.
West led the Cougars with 21 points including four three pointers. APU had five players in double figures as Speaker had 19, Bryce Sloan 15 Kleppe 14 and Reidy 10. West and Speaker each had six rebounds as well.
For Hawaii Hilo Elzie led all scorers with 26 points and Mitchell had 17. Ramsey Jr. had 11. Hawaii Hilo outrebounded Azusa Pacific 32-28.
Azusa Pacific has gotten off to a slow start this season and improved to 3-9 overall with the win. Hawaii Hilo fell to 10-5.
Leave a Reply