Azusa Pacific men’s basketball held off previously unbeaten Cal State San Marcos 85-76 after the NAIA team erased APU’s 17-point halftime lead midway through the second half.
The game marked the final non-conference matchup for the APU Cougars and the team’s only December home game. The Zu also hosted the university’s first rendition of Taylor University’s Silent Night Game in which the home crowd does not cheer until its team reaches 10 or more points. After three minutes and nine seconds, the silence broke as senior forward Christian Katuala completed a layup to extend APU’s early lead to 10-3.
Azusa Pacific continued to control the first half with a 58.6 shooting percentage – making 58.3 percent of its shots from 3-point range. The team out-rebounded its opponent 20-14 and came away with eight second-chance points, entering the half with a comfortable 49-32 lead.
Cal State San Marcos, however, opened the second half with a 31-14 run to knot the score at 63 with 9:40 remaining in regulation.
“We knew coming in that they’re a team if they get down 15 they’re never out of the game because they can keep shooting and keep shooting,” senior APU guard Troy Leaf said. “They’re a really talented team offensively.”
Immediately following a timeout called by APU head coach Justin Leslie in response to the tied score, junior forward Jared Zoller drained a 3-pointer followed by a layup from Leaf off a fast break to place the team again in the lead. Despite CSUSM’s efforts, Azusa Pacific maintained its regained lead to close out the game 85-76.
“We’ve been right on the verge the last couple years, but we’ve learned how to close out games,” Leaf said. “We’re seniors now. We don’t shy away from those moments. We’re there to make those plays.”
Four APU players ended the night scoring in double digits, led by Leaf with 24. Senior guard Robert Sandoval finished with 11 points, nine assists and eight rebounds while junior guard Bruce English came away with 14 points and Katuala 10. The bench produced 33 points.
“This team has a chance to develop a special chemistry and a chance to put it all together out there on the floor,” head coach Justin Leslie said. “It’s going to be different guys on different nights. But we have a lot of talent on this roster.”
Cal State San Marcos had five players end in double digits, including Blake Nash who ended with a team-high 23 points.
APU will open PacWest play on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Fresno Pacific.