By Tim Peterson
(Azusa) – Azusa Pacific was down by just one at halftime but fell behind by 10 points in the second half and could never rally back in an 83-76 loss to Westmont Thursday night at Felix Event Center. It was the last home game of the season for the Cougars.
Shad Thomas scored nine points and Parker Christensen had seven for Azusa Pacific in a back and forth first half. Ten minutes into the half it was tied at 15. There were six lead changes and the game was tied five times.
Westmont managed to go into the break with a 34-33 lead. Trey Thompson scored 10 for the Warriors and JV Brown added eight.
Westmont jumped on the Cougars early in the second half behind the hot shooting of Jarret Bryant and led 55-45 with just under nine minutes left in the game.
Azusa Pacific battled back to get within three at 75-72 with under three minutes remaining. But Aidan Mandel scored and was fouled for a three-point play to make it 78-72 with 2:08 left.
EJ Bryson scored for the Cougars to cut the lead to four and later after a missed free throw by Westmont Thomas was fouled and knocked down both free throws to make it 79-76 with just 24 seconds left.
The Warriors then hit four free throws down the stretch including a pair by Bryant with nine seconds left to ice it. APU had a good look at a three before Bryant’s two shots but it was off the mark.
Azusa Pacific shot 41 percent from the field for the game compared to 50 for Westmont. The Warriors outrebounded the Cougars 38-27.
Bryant had a big game for Westmont leading all scorers with 29 points. Mandel scored 14 and Thompson added 12. Azusa Pacific had four players in double figures but it wasn’t enough. Thomas led the way with 20 points and 11 boards. DM Sanders scored 14, Bryson had 13 and Colton Gray finished with 10.
Azusa Pacific fell to 7-19 overall and 5-16 in the PacWest Conference with one road game remaining. Westmont improved to 17-10 and 14-7 in conference.
WC 34 49 83
AP 33 43 76
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