PLNU gave #3 Concordia quite a scare Tuesday night in Golden Gym, but in the end it was the Eagles coming out on top 77-68.

The Sea Lions were by no means over-matched, leading for much of the game and always within striking distance. However a second half surge by the Eagles spelled doom for the Sea Lions, as CUI shot 67 percent after halftime to earn the victory.

PLNU looked very strong from the beginning, pulling out to a 21-12 lead. It was James Hancock setting the tone, using his strength and athleticism to power his way into the paint as well as grab rebounds.

The Sea Lions would extend that lead, with Paul Holtfrerich providing some excitement for the crowd. The freshman center blocked a shot on the defensive end, then was found by Todd Campbell on the ensuing possession for a dunk that brought the home crowd to its feet.

That made the score 29-19 with 3:28 left in the half and the Sea Lions would stretch the lead to 32-19 with 2:10 to play. The Eagles kept their composure throughout the first half though and would battle back. After a Sea Lion turnover, Eagle sharpshooter Cameron Gliddon knocked down a three-pointer to draw CUI within six points, 33-27 at halftime.

Gliddon, the GSAC leader in three-point percentage, would continue his hot shooting in the second half as the Eagles pulled closer. PLNU went ahead 37-29 early in the second half, before Gliddon hit another three. DeAndre Jones scored on the other end for the Sea Lions, but Gliddon knocked down another three, this time from further back, to make the score 39-35 PLNU.

Gliddon hit another three two minutes later, capping off a 7-0 Eagle run and giving CUI the lead 42-41. PLNU would regain momentum with an inside bucket by Hancock, a free-throw by Rhett Beal after a CUI technical foul and a pair of free-throws by Jake Johnston.

Concordia responded again by showcasing its long-range shooting, this time A.J. Gasporra and Justin Johnson hitting back-to-back threes. Karlos Grier added a third consecutive three-pointer with 12:33 to play, putting the Eagles up by five.

PLNU took a timeout to regroup and Nic Van Weelden immediately responded with a three of his own. The teams continued to battle back and forth, but CUI eventually began to pull away fueled by some strong post-play from center Andre Murillo.

The Sea Lions were not about to go quietly though, going on an 8-1 run that included buckets from Hancock, Campbell, Beal and Johnston.

Trailing 61-59 with 5:16 to play, the Sea Lions would be unable to draw any closer. They remained within striking distance into the final minute, when a Beal jumper made the score 71-68 CUI with 48 seconds to play. The Eagles 1-2 punch of Johnson and Gliddon refused to miss from the line though, as the Sea Lions could not draw closer.

PLNU out-rebounded the Eagles 36-25, and matched the Eagles shot-for-shot. The glaring disparity was three-pointers, with the Eagles making eight compared to the Sea Lions' one.

Hancock led a well-balanced Sea Lion attack with 17 points and nine rebounds. Beal added 13 and Johnston finished with 10.

CUI was paced by Gliddon and Johnson, who finished with 16 points apiece. Murillo added 14 and Grier scored 10 in the win, as the Eagles take over sole possession of first place in the GSAC following a Biola loss to Westmont. Concordia played without All-GSAC point guard Terrence Worthy.

Despite the loss, PLNU (8-17, 5-12) hangs on to the GSAC's final playoff slot after San Diego Christian defeated Vanguard. Both SDCC and Vanguard are now 4-12 in the conference, a half-game behind PLNU.

PLNU travels to Westmont (18-7, 10-6) on Saturday night. The Warriors won the meeting in Golden Gym, a 69-66 double overtime thriller.

-Jeremiah Wood