AZUSA, Calif. – Joshua Caston scored a game-high 22 points and Kayle Knuckles racked up 11 rebounds to help Concordia give Azusa Pacific fits on its home floor on Wednesday evening.

Kobe Sanders added a dozen points and eight rebounds while orchestrating the offense, plus his older brother Jalen Sanders combined with Matthew Weyand for five of CUI's seven steals.

CUI held the Cougars to just 61 points which was their third-lowest output of the season. APU averages 75 points per game and the Eagles swarming defense limited what the Cougars could do during many of their half-court possessions.

The Eagles (10-11, 7-8 PacWest) rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half to tie the game at 47-47 with about eight minutes to play thanks to three free throws from Caston. 

The Cougars (15-7, 12-3) retook the lead on a trey by Ken West and the two teams scrapped it out down the stretch.  However, APU held on for a 61-54 win.

"We played really well defensively," said CUI head coach Ken Ammann. "Holding that team down under 60 points until the end, that's the lowest point total we've allowed in this building in a long, long time. This is one of the hardest places to come in and win and we did everything we could to win the game."
 
"This is a good group on both ends of the floor and if we play like that, we got a lot of good shots on offense," added Ammann. "Everyone was ready to go tonight and we're in a good spot, we just need to keep doing what we are doing."
 
Next up, Concordia heads to Point Loma this Saturday, Feb. 19 for a date with the Sea Lions. 

The Eagles won the prior meeting against Point Loma at CU Arena and will be targeting a sweep before returning home for their final three-game homestand against Holy Names (twice) and APU.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's basketball schedule