A low-scoring second half cost PLNU in its home opener, as the Sea Lions fell to Concordia (OR) 68-66 Friday night. After leading 42-33 at halftime, PLNU shot just 27 percent in the second half and was outscored 35-24 as the visiting Cavaliers completed the comeback.

PLNU (1-2) had a chance to tie the game in its final moments, down by two with possession and four seconds left. But a Nate Van Weelden layup was negated after a scoreboard malfunction. The clock was reset and the second time around, Van Weelden's layup at the buzzer fell short.

The Sea Lions led by as many as 13 in the first half, and were still up 55-47 with 11:43 left in the second half. A string of bad possessions hurt the Sea Lions though, and the Cavaliers were able to creep back into the game, tying it at 56 with a three-pointer by Dustin Hiebert with 8:20 to play.

Each team went through a scoring drought in the closing minutes, but PLNU regained the lead with 1:58 to play 64-63. CU's Gage Aker completed a three-point play on the ensuing possession to give the Cavaliers the lead for good. Greg Murray brought the Sea Lions to within one with four seconds remaining, but the Sea Lions couldn't convert on their final chance.

Murray was the team's leading scorer for the third consecutive game, finishing with 15 points. Rhett Beal added a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. DeAndre Jones finished with six assists and no turnovers.

On the Cavaliers' side it was Alex Thiefenthaler leading all scorers with 22 points. Hiebert and Sergio Rosario added nine apiece.

The Sea Lions struggled from beyond the arc (6-for-23), especially in the second half when they hit just one of ten. Concordia shot just slightly better for the game, but hit 47 percent from long-range as the Cavaliers improved to 3-0 on the season.

PLNU's next game is an exhibition at USD on Wednesday night, before hosting Olivet Nazarene for homecoming on Saturday night at 8 p.m.
-Jeremiah Wood