PLNU was unable to withstand a big offensive night from Azusa Pacific, falling to the visiting Cougars 96-78 Saturday night.

Jake Johnston did his best to keep the Sea Lions in it, finishing with a career-best 22 points, but the Cougars were hitting on all cylinders in Golden Gym. APU shot 58 percent as a team, and scored 48 points in each half. The Cougars also got to the line 34 times, and made 91 percent of those free throws.

PLNU fell behind early and trailed 48-29 at halftime. The team fared much better in the second half, but it was not enough to majorly cut into the Cougars' big lead. The Sea Lions got to within 12 points midway through the second half after a steal and bucket by Rhett Beal, but the Cougars responded with a three-pointer on the next possession.

Beal finished with 16 points and Nate Van Weelden added 15 in the loss. PLNU shot 47.5 percent on the night, but struggled on the defensive end.

APU had five players finish in double figures, led by Marshall Johnson with 18 points. Dominique Johnson added 17, Reggie Owens had 15, Caleb Burgess added 12 and James Staniland finished with 11. Owens was the game's leading rebounder with seven. APU's bench outscored PLNU's 41-10.

The Cougars improved to 9-6 and 2-3 in the GSAC. PLNU's two-game win streak was snapped, as they fell to 2-4 in GSAC play, 5-9 overall.

The Sea Lions travel to Irvine on Tuesday to face Concordia (15-0, 5-0 GSAC), the #2 ranked team in the NAIA. PLNU's next home game will be next Saturday night, the 16th, when they host Westmont.

-Jeremiah Wood