Box Score / CBU Press Conference / APU Press Conference
 
AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific made good on its first ever regional appearance, as the top-seeded Cougars beat No. 3 California Baptist, 91-79, Monday night. The Cougars used a big second half to beat their rivals in the fourth meeting of the season. APU will face the winner of the West Liberty-Indiana (Pa.) regional final on Wednesday, March 25, in Evansville, Ind.
 
Tournament Most Outstanding Player Troy Leaf scored 23 points and had five assists. Kevin Stafford, who was an all-tournament selection, scored 17 points for APU and Petar Kutlesic added 14. CBU’s Gelaun Wheelwright scored a game-high 35 points, making 12 field goals, and had four steals. He was also named to the all-tournament team.
 
APU is the first PacWest team to win a regional title since BYU-Hawaii in 2011. The Seasiders advanced all the way to the National Championship game.
 
Azusa Pacific used a 14-4 run to take its first lead of the game, 18-14, midway through the first half. CBU went nearly four minutes without a field goal, turning the ball over four times. Both teams found their shooting touch after that, with eight three-pointers falling in the final eight minutes of the half. APU held onto a two-point lead at the break, 35-33.
 
APU outscored CBU 27-8 in the first eight minutes of the second half, including nine-straight to open the period, to build a 20-point lead, 62-41. CBU made a late 11-3 run, with Wheelwright nailing two three-pointers, but couldn’t cut the deficit down to single-digits.