Azusa Pacific Wins Opener by 60 points

Top-seeded Azusa Pacific set a record by beating Huston-Tillotson College of Texas by 60 points--104-44--in the first round of the 61st NAIA men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Oral Roberts’ Mabee Center in Tulsa, Okla.

That margin eclipsed the previous record of 50 points, set in 1972 when Kentucky State beat Minot State, N.D., 118-68.

The Cougars (32-4) made nearly 80% of their shots in the first half, including nine of 12 from three-point range and led, 58-19, at the half. For the game, they made 58.8% of their shots. Five Azusa Pacific players scored in double figures, led by Corey Smith’s 15 points. “I didn’t expect this kind of win. Without a good scouting report, I figured the game would be a lot different. But we played with intensity all game,” said Azusa Pacific Coach Bill Odell.

Huston-Tillotson (16-12) had 31 turnovers, shot 27% and was outrebounded, 50-29.

Azusa Pacific, which has won 15 consecutive games, will play Transylvania (Ky.) today in a second-round game at 10:30 a.m. Pacific.

In other NAIA games:

Biola 61, Montana Tech 54--Forwards Damien Johnson and Jack Hartman each scored 20 points to lead the 11th-seeded Eagles in their first-round game.

Biola (30-6) led, 29-19, at halftime, but Montana Tech, trailing 31-19, went on a 13-4 run.

In the second round, Biola will play East Central (19-8) of Oklahoma, which beat Hawaii Pacific, 86-85, at 7:45 p.m. tonight.