Gallery: Cougars crowned West Region champions

Azusa Pacific defeated rival California Baptist 91-79 in Monday’s West Region Championship to advance to the Elite Eight in Evansville, Indiana set to begin March 25.

Check out our photos from the game and post-victory celebrations:

: The team huddles before tipoff. Photo: Blake Standal

: Christian Katuala goes head-to-head with CBU’s Taj Spencer in the opening tipoff. Photo: Blake Standal

: Christian Katuala lays the ball in. The senior forward contributed six points in the win. Photo: Blake Standal

: Robert Sandoval pulls up to lay it in. The senior guard had six points in the victory. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: Petar Kutlesic pulls up for the jump shot. The PacWest Freshman of the Year scored 14 points and grabbed eight boards in the win. Photo: Blake Standal

: Bruce English takes the ball up court. The junior guard had three points and one assist coming off the bench. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: ZuKeeper Jon Root sports his own official gear. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: Fans react to on-court action. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: Kevin Stafford takes the ball up the floor. The senior guard scored 17 points and received all-West Region tournament honors. Photo: Blake Standal

: Andy Jones drives to the basket. The senior had seven points in the victory. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: LyDell Cardwell pulls the ball around the arc. He had eight points in the win. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: Will Ward backs down the defender. The sophomore forward scored seven points off the bench. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: Troy Leaf pulls up for a shot from downtown. The senior guard had 23 points and five assists in the win. Photo: Blake Standal

: The team celebrates as the clock winds down the final seconds. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: Head coach Justin Leslie embraces Bruce English after the victory. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: LyDell Cardwell holds up Troy Leaf’s hand as he is announced the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Photo: Blake Standal

: Robert Sandoval holds the trophy up for fans. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: Bruce English shouts out after cutting down his piece of net. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: Petar Kutlesic sports the Serbian flag while cutting down the net. Photo: Katie Richcreek

: Team gathers around head coach Justin Leslie. Photo: Blake Standal