IRVINE, Calif. – In a matchup featuring the regular season co-champions, Azusa Pacific beat California Baptist, 75-58, to win its first PacWest Women’s Basketball Championship title. The Cougars were making their first appearance in the championship game, and utilized a team effort to earn its first bid to the NCAA Championship.
Tournament MVP
Cydnie Jones nearly recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
Allison Greene scored 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and had six assists. APU’s starters combined for 59 points and 45 rebounds, notching three double-doubles. APU held a 53-36 edge in rebounding
Cassidy Mihalko scored a game-high 23 points, and had two steals.
Courtney Nelson added 11 points and eight rebounds.
Neither team gained more than a two-point lead through most of the first half. Greene scored six of APU’s final eight points, including a three-pointer at the buzzer that put the Cougars on top, 38-30, at the break. APU took advantage of cold CBU shooting in the third quarter, doubling up its lead, 56-38. Six different Cougars scored in the period, while CBU miss 13 shots and turned the ball over four times.
The NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Sunday, March 6, at 7 p.m. PT on
NCAA Live.