Toros' Defense Not Enough in 71-62 Loss to 5th-Ranked Azusa Pacific University

MacKenzie Mathias made a significant effort with 9 points and 3 assists in tonight's match

Azusa, CA -- Claiming a total of 42 boards to Azusa Pacific's 28 was not enough as ultimately a difference of 12 made free throws decided the game against the Toros in a 71-62 loss tonight to the host Cougars. With her 15 total points and 5 rebounds, Neka Mixon was the offensive power in tonight's match, while freshman MacKenzie Mathias (pictured) chipped in 9 points and 3 assists.

Putting their name on the board first and quickly running up the lead, the Cougars seemed poised for an easy victory with a 19-point lead halfway through the first half. A quick roster change from head coach Van Girard and a Mathias three started a move that would slowly turn the game in the Toros' favor.

Bringing their deficit down to only nine points, Mixon made two free throws to start a streak that would see the Toros enter the half down just five.

A Barbara Houston rebound, which she quickly turned into a fast-break a her layup tied the contest at 38-38 a few minutes into the second half. CSUDH gained some momentum, and subsequently its first lead of the night at 44-38, off a Brittney Blankenship jumper a few minutes later.

Despite a better field goal percentage in the second half, the Toros succumbed to APU's better three-point shooting and free throws to close out the game. In the last 0:38 of play, Ennisha Kyles did her best with five points to end the night, giving the Toros only a nine-point deficit at 71-62.

Leading the Toros' 44.6% FG percentage, opposed to the Cougar's 40.4%, was Mixon with 15 points and Kyles with 11. Clearly a defensive night, CSUDH pummeled APU with 42 total rebounds, while the Cougars had 28 in comparison. Kyles led all Toros defensively with 10 boards and her third double-double of the season.

Now 4-3 overall, CSUDH will break over the holiday before traveling to the state of Washington to face Saint Martin's University in back-to-back games, with the first game set for December 27 and a 7:00 pm first tip.

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