Senior guard Dominique Johnson added 11 points in the win for Azusa Pacific, while sophomore guard Marshall Johnson and junior guard Mike Caffese each connected for 10 points. Caffese, who threw the pass to Owens on his game-winning shot, dished out a season-high 10 assists for the Cougars. Caffese also had three steals in the opening-round win.

Cumberlands, which trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half, tied the score at 51-51 on a basket by senior guard Travis Harvey with 9:36 to play. The Patriots then took their first lead of the contest at 56-55 on a shot by senior guard Nathaniel Mitchell at the 7:10 mark. From there, the lead changed hands five times until a basket by senior guard Chad Byron enabled Cumberlands to tie the game at 68-68 with 42 seconds left.

Azusa Pacific ran the game clock down for a final shot, but could not convert with five seconds left. Cumberlands grabbed the rebound, but turned it over with 3.6 seconds left. The Cougars called timeout to set up a final shot, and Caffese threw a lob from in front of the Azusa Pacific bench in the lane to Owens. He banked the shot off the glass to give the Cougars a 70-68 lead. "That play worked hook, line and sinker," said Azusa Pacific head coach Justin Leslie. "I keep telling the guys that this is the time of the year where you have to draw upon good things that you use throughout the course of the season. We drew up that play late in the first half of a game in November, and we hadn't run it since."

The Patriots then committed another turnover after a timeout, and Marshall Johnson was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play. His two free throws with 1.3 seconds left sealed the victory for Azusa Pacific.

In the first half, Azusa Pacific controlled the tempo and reeled off 10 consecutive points to build a 29-16 with 3:44 remaining in the period. Owens scored all 10 points during the spurt for the Cougars. He had 16 points during the first 20 minutes of play.

Cumberlands had a balanced offensive attack in Thursday's contest, led by 14 points and nine rebounds from senior forward Brandon Russ. Harvey and senior guard Dustin Fothergill each posted 13 points, while Byron finished with 12 points. Mitchell rounded out the list of double-digit scorers for the Patriots with 10 points. Cumberlands ends its season with a record of 21-11.

NOTES: Azusa Pacific is making its 18th tournament appearance ... With the win Azusa Pacific has now won five out of their last six first-round games ... Cumberlands was making their 20th appearance overall at the tournament and with the loss dropped their record to 13-20 in tournament play ... During the final five minutes of the game there was four lead changes and three ties ... Azusa Pacific's Reggie Owens scored a season-high 28 points ... The win was the eighth straight for Azusa Pacific ... Cumberlands had five players score in double figures.