box score
SAN DIEGO – Just two days removed from playing one of their most complete games of the season, the Point Loma Nazarene women's basketball team had to claw back down the stretch to salvage a 57-52 win over Wellesley (MA) to claim the 2011 San Diego Surf N Slam Small College title on Friday night in Golden Gymnasium.
The Sea Lions went 2-0 in the tournament, including Tuesday's 74-66 upset win over No. 7 nationally ranked Wisconsin-Stevens Point (NCAA D-III). Tonight, PLNU improved to 9-4 on the season, while D-III The Blue fell to 3-6.
Nyla Bailey, who earned MVP honors in the tournament, finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots. All-tournament selection
Crissa Jackson added 12 points and five assists, nailing six of six free throws in the final two minutes to lead the comeback (Jackson holds a record for consecutive free throws made at her high school: 100).
While the Sea Lions could breathe a sigh of relief at the end of 40 minutes, that was the first time all night that the victory was anything close to secure.
Wellesley led for a good chunk of the game, although neither squad led by more than a handful of points throughout. There were six ties in the game and 17 lead changes. The Blue posted a 27-23 margin at the break, and pushed that lead to six points early in the second half.
Point Loma would draw even or take a one-point margin after the break a few times, but Wellesley continued be the leader for the majority of the half. Malia Maier's lay-in with 4:57 left gave The Blue a 50-45 lead as the game headed down the final stretch.
But that's when the visitors went stone cold and the Sea Lions took over. The Blue would turn the ball over seven times in the final five minutes wouldn't score again until 1.7 seconds were left on the clock. Meanwhile, Point Loma went on a 12-0 run spearheaded by Jackson to salt the game away. The senior point guard had two steals and eight points in the final 2:30.
The Sea Lions overcame poor offensive numbers to win the non-conference contest, shooting just 36 percent from the field and they were 3-17 from beyond the arch. Wellesley was cold as well, converting just 30 percent of its shots from the floor.
Leslie Leong led The Blue with a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds while Maier added 11 points and seven assists.
The Sea Lions return to Golden State Athletic Conference action on Tuesday (Jan. 3) when they host San Diego Christian at 5:30 pm.
NOTE: Some notable Wellesley alumnae include Hillary Clinton, Madeline Albright and Diane Sawyer.
