The Sea Lions looked like the No. 4-ranked team in the nation Saturday, as they defeated Olivet Nazarene University in their home opener, 88-62. The Green and Gold improved to 4-0 and the Lady Tigers fell to 2-3.
PLNU has won the last four meetings between the two Nazarene institutions, overcoming the unusual game-plan that their sister school employs which features a run and gun offensive attack and full-court press defense for much of the game.
On Saturday, the Sea Lions shot a robust 51.9 percent their homecoming game. Meanwhile ONU was good just 26 percent of the time from the field. The Sea Lions also out-blocked the Lady Tigers 9-4 and had 15 steals compared to nine from the visitors and forced 33 turnovers. ONU attempted 45 three pointers, of which they made just eight. By comparison, PLNU attempted six and made two.
The Lady Tigers struck first, when Lisa Beyer made good on three free-throws. But the Sea Lions answered by taking the lead with six straight points. PLNU slowly but steadily built up its lead and were up 47-25 at the half.
ONU tightened their defense in the second stanza, as Point Loma only outscored them by four over the final 20 minutes, but by then, in front of a large crowd, PLNU had built an insurmountable advantage.
Sea Lion senior Colleen Planeta got her third double-double of the year, leading the offense with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Seven blocks had Planeta only three away from her second triple double in her college career. Amanda Franz added 18 points, Liah Ector had 10 and Avery Lee and Jil Haentges had nine points apiece.
Brianna Colon contributed a team-high five assists for PLNU as did Haentges and Danielle Arriola.
Danielle Tolbert led the Lady Tigers' charge with 13 points, and was the only Olivet player to shoot double digits.
The Sea Lions take Thanksgiving week off before they host their conference opener Tuesday, December 1, when they welcome No. 2-ranked Vanguard at 5:30 p.m. in Golden Gymnasium.
-Nathan Scharn
