PLNU fought back from a 14-point second half deficit, but suffered another narrow defeat in falling 74-71 to The Master's College on Saturday night. It was the seventh time this season that the Sea Lions lost by four points or less.

The visiting Green and Gold trailed 49-35 with 16:23 remaining, but fought back with an offensive explosion, scoring 19 points in just over five minutes. Rhett Beal sank a three-pointer with 10:24 remaining to make the score 56-54 Mustangs.

PLNU proceeded to draw within one a minute later after a three-point play by Robbie McDaniel. That was followed by a four-minute scoring drought for both teams, with missed free throws and turnovers on each side. Beal hit a free-throw with 5:35 left to tie the score at 58.

The Sea Lions would tie the score one other time in the final five minutes, but the Mustangs looked to be pulling away. A Paul Holtfrerich layup brought the Sea Lions within one at 68-67  with 1:34 remaining, but on the ensuing possession TMC would get two offensive rebounds and keep the ball despite two missed free throws. PLNU was forced to foul again and TMC's Joey Fuca sank two free throws to make the score 70-67 with 55 seconds left.

PLNU would turn the ball over two times in the final minute, allowing the Mustangs to build a five-point lead. A Nate Van Weelden layup as time expired made it a final of 74-71 Mustangs.

Beal turned in another stellar performance, pouring in a team-high 23 points. Van Weelden added 17 and Todd Campbell finished with 11. The Sea Lions didn't get a strong post presence offensively as James Hancock was in foul trouble for much of the game and would eventually foul out. PLNU turned the ball over 21 times in the loss.

Fuca scored a game-best 24 points for TMC. Dean Hadley had 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Leif Karlberg added 12 points in the win. The Mustangs improved to 13-6, 6-3 in the GSAC.

The Sea Lions drop to 5-13 on the year and 2-8 in conference play. They return home this Thursday to host #4 Biola (18-1, 8-1).

-Jeremiah Wood