Azusa Pacific Withstands Rally to Advance to Quarterfinal

Sixth-seeded Azusa Pacific held off a late charge by 11th-seeded Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) for a 78-75 victory in the NAIA men’s tournament at Kansas City, Mo.

The Cougars led 40-34 at halftime and kept the lead through the second, but with 2:31 left, Trevecca Nazarene went on a 13-4 run that pulled the Trojans to within two points with 20 seconds to go. But Scott Zea made three of four free throws for Azusa Pacific (30-5) to send the Cougars to the quarterfinals, where they’ll play third-seeded Robert Morris (Ill.) today.

WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT

Top-seeded Vanguard defeated fifth-seeded Cumberlands (Ky.), 80-74, in the second round at Jackson, Tenn. Kelly Schmidt scored 21 for the Lions (30-1).

Also in Jackson, Jessica Seyler scored 17 points for second-seeded the Master’s (27-7) in a 67-62 win over No. 6 Montana State Northern.... Top-seeded Oklahoma City (32-2), powered by 36 points from Mariam Sy, beat No. 4 Azusa Pacific, 92-84. Meliame Hala’ufia scored 18 points for the Cougars (24-10).