Box Score

Azusa, Calif. - Azusa Pacific made 11-of-15 three-pointers in the second half to pull away for an 88-67 win over Fresno Pacific on Saturday in the first meeting as NCAA Division II programs for the former Golden State Athletic Conference rivals.

The Cougars (5-5, 2-0 PacWest) used a barrage of second-half threes to distance themselves from a Sunbird team that struggled mightily on defense.

The Sunbirds (7-6, 2-3 PacWest) went cold from beyond the arc, missing their first 15 three-pointers until Zach Kaul finally connected on one with 13 minutes left in the game.

FPU stayed within striking distance, down 65-58 with seven and a half minutes to go, before a 18-0 APU run over the next four minutes put the game well out of reach.

Malcolm Griffin led all scorers with 22 points. John Taylor was held to 13 points, including an 0-for-10 line from three-point range. Trevon Clayton led the team with 11 rebounds and finished with eight points. Rickey Vick had nine points off the bench.

"Give Azusa credit, they really took it to us," said head coach Chris Wright. "When we're not making shots, we're not mentally tough enough to defend on the other end. Winning on the road is all about being mentally tough and we're not tough enough as a team right now. So far we've been a very good team at home, but we go on the road and we're not very good at all. It all comes down to mental toughness."

Five Cougars scored in double figures, led by guards Troy Leaf and B.J. Porter with 16 points apiece. APU shot 52 percent on the night while holding the Sunbirds to 33 percent shooting.

FPU returns home next Saturday to host Grand Canyon at 4:30 pm. The Antelopes (14-2, 5-0 PacWest) are in first place in the 14-team PacWest. FPU nearly knocked off the Antelopes in Phoenix last month, leading all the way until the final minute of a 77-75 setback. This is GCU's last season in Division II, with the program set to join the WAC next season.