NAIA No. 3-ranked PLNU improved to 14-1 on the year, 4-1 GSAC, after a 73-49 triumph at San Diego Christian Tuesday evening.

The Sea Lions were off to a slow start against their crosstown foes, at one point missing seven straight shots, and trailed the home team Hawks in the opening minutes. PLNU got back on track, though, and after falling behind 11-9, went on a 20-5 run before heading into the break up by 31-21.

San Diego Christian chipped four points off the deficit in the early going of the second half but a Liah Ector jumper was followed by treys from PJ Hanson and Avery Lee to give PLNU a 14-point cushion. The Sea Lions kept building on the lead which reached 29 late in the conference tilt.

The Sea Lions ended up shooting 52 percent for the game making 31-60 from the field, 5-8 from beyond the arc and 6-10 at the stripe. PLNU out rebounded the Hawks 38-32, had six blocks to zero from SDCC and forced 24 turnovers.

SDCC (3-10, 0-4 GSAC) was limited to 36 percent shooting for the game.

GSAC Player of the Week Colleen Planeta scored a game-best 24 points by sinking 10-14 shots and sinking 4-5 free throws. Planeta also grabbed six rebounds and notched two steals.

Ector added 16 points and seven boards with Brianna Colon scoring nine and dishing out five assists. Kaitlyn Trotter pulled in 11 boards in the win.

Torreya Edwards led the Hawks with 16 points followed by 12 from Mercedes Griffis.

PLNU hosts No. 12 Azusa Pacific for a big game this Saturday starting at 5:30 pm.