ALER KERR | staff writer
Thursday, March 5 kicked off the beginning of the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) for the men’s basketball team with a first round game against the Westmont Warriors, with a score of 85-76.
Azusa scored 33 points from 3-point shots, the most points against any GSAC competitor so far this season.
These 3-point shots came from six Cougar players and lead to the win over the Warriors.
Junior guards Dominique Johnson and Mike Danielian both scored 3-point shots in the first half, as did junior forward Brayden Bell, giving Azusa Pacific an 18-point lead with three minutes remaining in the opening half.
Continued 3-pointers from sophomore guard David Stafford and freshmen guard Marshall Johnson led the Cougars to their 22-point lead by halftime.
Westmont sophomore center Evan Haines had 14 of his game-high 18 rebounds in the second half, and brought the Warriors within five points of the Cougars with three minutes left of play.
Dominique Johnson and Danielian went on to score 13 points apiece, while senior center David Burgess and senior guard Kimarley Williams registered 10 points apiece, in the second half.
On Saturday, March 7 Azusa Pacific earned their second win in the GSAC tournament, with a 67-46 victory over the Concordia Eagles.
By halftime, the Cougars held a 37-20 lead thanks to seven 3-point shots made by Azusa Pacific in the first half. Concordia missed 17 of 24 3-point shots made before halftime.
Dominique Johnson led Azusa Pacific with a game-high 17 points, while redshirt sophomore Mike Caffese had game-highs of six assists and seven steals.
Marshall Johnson finished with 12 points, including a 3-point shot leading the Cougars off on a 10-3 run out of the tip-off, with Burgess also making a game-high 12 rebounds.
Due to this win, Azusa Pacific now holds the longest winning streak in GSAC with six games.
The Cougars held an overall record of 23-9 before facing the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds last night in the GSAC championship game.
