MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Azusa) – Azusa Pacific jumped out to a 13-4 lead but Western Washington bounced back to take a 40-37 lead at the half and went on to beat the Cougars 88-82 Saturday night at Felix Event Center.

Western Washington’s lead held up in the second half and the Vikings extended it to 11 down the stretch and held off the Cougars.

Azusa Pacific had four players in double figures but it wasn’t enough. Ethan Speaker led the way with 17 points and Michael Saba had 16. Maui Sze had 14 points and five assists and Jordan Hansen finished with 11. The Cougars shot well overall firing 55 percent from the floor including 52 percent from three-point land hitting 11 of 21. They were also at 90 percent from the free throw line.

Western Washington warmed up quickly after a slow start. The Vikings, once down nine, caught the Cougars at 31 and then passed them to take a three-point lead at the break.

Western Washington shot 58 percent in the second half and 45 percent from three after hitting only 30 percent in the first half. Louis Grante-Halliday was go-to guy for the Vikes leading the way with 23 points. Western Washington also had four players in doubles as Grant Kepley scored 18 and Dajon Lott and Will Wilson each had 17.

The Vikings also outrebounded the Cougars 34-28 with Kepley leading the way with nine boards. Speaker has six rebounds for APU.

APU got as close as four points at 74-70 with 3:44 remaining but Western was able to knock down free throws and hit enough shots down the stretch to hold on.

With the loss the Cougars are now 2-2 just four games into the season. Next up is a Thursday night game against Cal State LA at Felix Event Center.