PLNU snapped a seven-game losing streak Saturday night in Fullerton, edging out Hope International 69-65 in overtime. Rhett Beal paced the Sea Lions with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Nate Van Weelden added 18 points, eight boards and five assists in the win.

PLNU led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but the Royals came charging back and would take the lead with 4:30 left in regulation on a layup by Marko Torovic.

DeAndre Jones responded for the Sea Lions to tie it at 50-all with a layup of his own. The Royals would take the lead again with 1:44 to play on a bucket by Kris Rosales, but Beal responded with a three-point play on the other end to put PLNU ahead 56-55.

Both teams would falter offensively in the final minute, with an HIU free-throw being the only point scored. That tied the game with 12 seconds to play. PLNU had a chance to win it regulation, but a missed bucket forced overtime.

The teams continued to trade buckets in the overtime and the score was still tied with 30 seconds remaining. Van Weelden hit the second of two free throws to make it 66-65 PLNU with 29 seconds left. HIU missed a bucket on the other end and was forced to foul.

Jones hit one of two free throws, giving the Royals another chance, but HIU missed another attempt. Van Weelden then made two free throws in the closing seconds to put the game out of reach.

PLNU shot 47 percent from the field and outscored the Royals 34-22 in the paint.

The Sea Lions improve to 3-9 in the GSAC, 6-14 on the year. The Royals are still seeking their first conference win, falling to 0-11 in the GSAC, 4-16 overall.

PLNU's next contest is this Tuesday when they travel to Costa Mesa to take on Vanguard (4-13, 3-8) in a game that could have significant GSAC playoff implications.

-J Wood