by AZUSA, Calif. – After each of the Cougars’ previous three defeats this season, they rebounded to win the next contest by an average of 21 points. The fourth proved no different as Azusa Pacific downed Westmont 85-68. Amayah Kirkman led the charge with a career-best 33 points in the victory as the Cougars completed a season sweep of the Warriors.
How It Happened: Kelly Heimburger dominated the scoring in the first quarter, putting up 11 in the opening 10 minutes as the Cougars raced out to an early 12-3 lead, with Kirkman getting on the board via an early three-point try. While the Warriors would cut the lead to three with a quick 6-0 response of their own, that was as close as they would get for the remainder of the night. Kirkman would finish the quarter with eight as the Cougars stretched their lead to 25-17.
Kirkman and Heimburger continued to be a two-person show in the second quarter, combining for 19 of the Cougars’ 24 points in the quarter. The Warriors matched basket for basket for much of the period before the Cougars were able to extend their margin by scoring seven points on their final three shots of the half, taking a 13-point advantage into the locker room.
The third quarter was more defensively oriented, with the Cougar defense holding the Warriors to just 5-15 from the field in the period while shooting 50% themselves. Kirkman had seven more in the quarter, giving her 26 for the game to that point, while the lead ballooned to as many as 20 before settling at 66-49 by quarter’s end. Westmont would try to cut into the deficit early in the period, getting as close as 12 points, but the Cougars had the necessary answers, with Kirkman again pushing the lead to 20 with her final layup of the game in the closing minute.
By the Numbers: Kirkman’s previous career high was 27 against Cal Poly Humboldt in November of 2023. She also had 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the game. Heimburger finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Audrey Sayoc came on strong in the second half, ending with 9 points and 8 assists, while Rome Falcocchia added 7 points and 4 rebounds off the bench. The Cougars converted 16 Westmont turnovers into 20 points, and shot 54% as a team from the field. Azusa Pacific has won five consecutive games against Westmont, and leads the all-time series 34-7. The Cougars have now won 20 games for the fourth consecutive season and the 12th time under head coach TJ Hardeman.
