IRVINE, Calif. -- Crissa Jackson scored 34 points and grabbed four rebounds to lead Point Loma Nazarene to the 70-60 upset at Concordia Tuesday evening. The Sea Lions improved to 11-14 overall, 6-11 in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

Importantly, the win gave PLNU some breathing room as far as the playoff picture is concerned. Loma is still eighth in the conference standings but Tuesday's win, combined with Hope International's loss to Vanguard, gives the Sea Lions a two-game cushion with three contests left in the regular season. PLNU needs to hold its place in the standings as only the top-eight squads qualify for the GSAC tournament.

Jackson, a junior guard, went 11-of-21 from the field, 5-of-8 from three point range and 7-of-9 at the stripe en route to her Sea Lion high 34 points. She was complimented by 19 points from Brianna Colon.

Concordia (14-9, 9-8) scored the first two points of the GSAC game but Jackson promptly nailed a three to put the PLNU up - and there they would stay. The Sea Lions quickly pushed their lead to eight points, and though the Eagles narrowed the gap to just one point with 3:55 to play in the opening stanza, Point Loma closed the half on a 12-1 run to go into the break ahead 33-21.

It was more of the same in the second. The Sea Lions drove in front by 16 points five minutes into the half. Concordia fought back and pulled to within five twice but Point Loma was able to fend off the Eagles and come away with the much-needed victory.

"This was definitely a great team effort," said Jackson. "Our intensity was outstanding the whole game. We were positive and supportive the entire game and that was the difference."

The Sea Lions outshot Concordia 44.8 percent to 35.4 percent. PLNU sank eight from beyond the arc as well and made 10-13 free throws. The Eagles had a 43-35 advantage on the boards.

Colon paced PLNU with seven rebounds followed by five apiece from Abby Boorman and Lindsey Hill.

Two CUI players scored in double figures: Tyler Howard with 13 and Nicole Fu with 11.

PLNU takes on Fresno Pacific in Golden Gymnasium this Saturday starting at 2:30 pm. The Sunbirds are just 8-19 overall, 1-16 in the GSAC. The Sea Lions beat FPU 62-59 in Fresno earlier this season.