box score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a game between sister schools that came down to the final play, it was Trevecca Nazarene that just edged Point Loma Nazarene 54-51 Saturday afternoon in the 2011-12 season opener.

The margin stayed within two or three points for most of the non-conference tilt. PLNU went into intermission ahead 25-22 thanks to a three-pointer from Brianna Colon.

The Sea Lions maintained a slim lead through much of the second stanza until Rachel Baby's bucket gave TNU a 46-45 advantage. The Trojans scored the next four points to extend their lead to five with 3:38 remaining.  

Point Loma went ice-cold, failing to make a shot for more than six minutes. Luckily, TNU couldn't get any offense going as well, though they had the clock working in their favor. The lone point from either side for more nearly two minutes were a pair of Trojan free throws.

Crissa Jackson sank a trey at 1:16 to pull PLNU to within four points. After a TNU free throw Kiley Berlinski made another three with 13 seconds remaining to close the gap to just two points at 53-51.

The Sea Lions, who were forced to foul down the stretch in order to slow down the clock, sent Haley Felker to the line with 11 seconds to go. She made one of two, PLNU getting the ball back. The last Loma attempt failed, however.

"We came out to Tennessee to learn somethings about this team," said PLNU coach Bill Westphal. "We learned a lot about ourselves. We did a lot of good things but we also need to do other things better. We will get back to work on Monday and look forward to the rest of the season."

Newcomer Nyla Bailey led Point Loma with 18 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks. Colon added 12 points in the loss. Andrea Campbell was a defensive force, blocking nine shots to go with four points and four boards.

PLNU, which had an amazing 20 team blocks, was hurt by their ineffectiveness from the arc, making just 3-of-13. The team also turned the ball over 25 times.

The Trojans were worse at the three-point line (2-of-13) and really struggled at the line (14-27). But TNU pulled in 10 more rebounds (52-42) and went to the line 16 more times.

Leading the way for TNU was Baby with 15 rebounds and nine points. Anissa Ragland added 12 points, Shenita Leaves had 11 points.

The Sea Lions will next play in their home opener on Friday, Nov. 11, when they host Notre Dame de Namur at 7:00 pm.