March 16, 2007

Kansas City, Mo. - Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) earned its third consecutive trip to the national quarterfinals with a 91-88 victory Friday against Park University (Mo.) in the second round of the 2007 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship at Municipal Auditorium.

 

The No. 10-seeded Cougars built a 19-point lead in the first half, but had to withstand a potential game-tying shot by Park to reach the NAIA quarterfinals. By collecting its sixth straight win, Azusa Pacific moves to 29-6 on the year. The Cougars will play in Saturday's quarterfinal round, where they will meet No. 2 Oklahoma City University at 6 p.m. CDT.

 

Senior center Brice Prather scored a team-high 19 points for Azusa Pacific, while senior forward Scott Zea posted a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Senior guard Demario Butler contributed 15 points for the Cougars.

 

In the first half, Azusa Pacific reeled off 11 consecutive points to take its largest lead of the night, 38-19, with just over seven minutes left in the period. Park started to climb back and pulled to within 49-40 at the half.

 

A three-pointer by senior forward Brandon Voorhees sparked a 7-0 run that brought the Pirates back within 68-65 with 8:02 on the clock. The Cougars then built the lead back to 13 points before Park made one final run. Voorhees had five points during a 7-0 spurt in the closing moments, including a three-pointer with 41 seconds on the clock, to bring the Pirates within 89-88.

 

Junior guard Khalif Ford was fouled on the Cougars' next possession, and his two free throws extended the margin back to three points for Azusa Pacific. Park worked the ball to Voorhees for a final shot, but his 21-foot jumper missed with two seconds left.

 

Voorhees closed his Park career with a game-high 33 points. Senior guard Kevin Nelson added 24 points in his final collegiate contest. Park, the NAIA Independent Tournament champion, ends its season with a mark of 25-7.