Top Performers
APU: Troy Leaf 36 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl
WOU: Andy Avgi 19 pts, 8 reb, 1 stl
The Troy Leaf-led Azusa Pacific men’s basketball team defeated Western Oregon 75-57 in the first round of the NCAA Division II West Region tournament. This was the Cougars’ very first NCAA playoff win in school history, across all sports.
“This was an historic win for our school,” said head coach Justin Leslie. “I am thrilled to represent APU. … To come out and get this done, it speaks to a lot of people putting in a lot of hard work.”
The Wolves got off to a quick 11-0 lead in the first four minutes of play, forcing Azusa Pacific to use a timeout. The Cougars were able to fight their way back into the game with a 18-4 run, which lifted them to 18-15 midway through the half.
Both teams continued to play fast-paced basketball, exchanging basket for basket until entering halftime tied at 34.
“This game came down to the second half. We took a punch from them early and had to respond,” said Leslie.
Both teams came out in the second half with the same energy, trading blow for blow until the Cougars went on a 14-0 run to take the lead 61-49. Azusa Pacific kept up the pressure, and with 2 1/2 minutes left was in control 65-52.
The Wolves heated up from beyond the arc, finishing out the following final minutes with five 3-point baskets. However, the Cougars managed to hold them off, closing out the game on top.
“We got out of it and tied it up at half, and in the second half, we imposed our will on them,” Leslie said. “Down the stretch we made 17-of-18 free throws — you’re going to win games when you close out like that.”
Leaf led the charge for APU with 36 points, followed by fellow senior guard Robert Sandoval, who scored 11.
“We’ve shown that were going to compete and we’re not going to give up because things aren’t going our way,” Leaf said. “We all work so hard, and we’re not going to give it up easy.”
Azusa Pacific moves on to play the fifth-seeded Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday in the Felix Event Center. The Broncos defeated the PacWest co-champion and fourth-seeded Dixie State 62-60 in the first round.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Find the free online stream here: http://bit.ly/1wGQWn1