FULLERTON, Calif. –  A last-second shot by Crissa Jackson, thanks to Brittany Stanley's game-changing steal and offensive rebound, propelled the Sea Lions to a come-from-behind 62-60 victory over Hope International University on Saturday evening. Point Loma only had the lead once, but it was the only one that counted: the final score. 

Four minutes into the first half, the Royals were already up by nine points, and even kicked off the game with seven unanswered points. Though the Sea Lions quickly picked themselves up, they could only play catch-up the rest of the way due to the spot-on HIU shooting. Point Loma left the court at halftime trailing by just three, 29-32.

Nothing seemed to change in the second half. The Royals still consistently led by about five points despite the Sea Lions' fighting effort. However with four minutes left, Hope was up 56-49. A three-pointer from Kiley Berlinski proved that Point Loma was still in the game.

Two minutes later, another downtown shot from Jackson put the Sea Lions within one point of the Royals. Hope International retaliated, but this time, Point Loma was right there with them, matching shot-for-shot.

Finally, with 1:12 left on the clock, the Sea Lions matched the Royals score for the first time since tip-off after a three-point play by Briana Colon to tie the game at 60-all. A timely steal by Stanley was just what Point Loma needed to change the game. But when Berlinski missed the three-pointer with 21 seconds left, things didn't look promising.

Coming up big again for the Sea Lions was Stanley, this time pulling down the board that would secure a shot from Jackson to bring home the win. Two missed free throws from Hope International's Champ Hood sent Point Loma home with the two-point victory.

"It was a great team victory," said Stanley. "Hope International played really well; we just executed at the end of the game. A win like this gives us hope for the future and is something we can build off."

Jackson put up 19 points with six assists and five rebounds. Colon recorded 15 points of her own, and Lindsey Hill and Abby Boorman pulled down a combined 11 rebounds. Berlinski had a solid night, with eight points, four assists, four steals, and two rebounds.

PLNU shot 49 percent from the field and 40 percent at the stripe, compared to Hope's 38 percent shooting but 66 percent free throw average. 

Samera Dorton recorded a double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds, while Lauren Salazar recorded 16 with six rebounds. Hood rebounded ten times for the Royals who are now 10-10, 2-8 in GSAC.

Surprisingly, Hope International outrebounded the Sea Lions 36-24, and went to the free throw line ten more times. PLNU's persistent shooting allowed the Sea Lions to step ahead of the Royals. Loma improves its record to 4-5 in GSAC, 9-8 overall.

The Sea Lions will take on Cal Baptist University on Tuesday, Jan 25 at 5:30 pm.