FULLERTON, Calif. –  Callie Rhoads hit the game-winning three-pointer with just six seconds left as Point Loma Nazarene defeated Hope International Tuesday night in the Darling Pavilion, 64-63. It was PLNU's second conference win and upped the team's record to 11-6 overall and 2-3 in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

The conference tilt was in part an offensive battle between Sea Lion guard Brianna Colon and her Royal counterpart Lauren Salazar. Colon had 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists for PLNU while Salazar led all scorers with 30 points.

Colon made the game's first bucket but the Sea Lions would quickly find themselves trailing. PLNU would be down by 11 points midway into the first half before going on a 13-0 run that put the visiting team in front 27-25.

The Royals regained momentum though, and behind 11 points from Salazar, would head into the break with a 33-29 lead. HIU increased its advantage to eight points on three different occasions early in the second period.

However, another Sea Lion spurt – eight consecutive points this time – knotted the game at 45-all. Hope then reeled off seven-straight to reclaim the lead.

A lull in the scoring for the next couple of minutes was followed by a PLNU timeout. The Sea Lions came out of the huddle and gave the ball to Colon who sank two jumpers and a three-pointer on consecutive possessions to push Point Loma out in front at the 2:42 mark, 57-55. It was Loma's first lead since the opening minute of the game.

The Royals (4-13, 2-3) would lean on Salazar down the stretch and she immediately responded with a bucket-and-one to continue the lead-trading. Sea Lion forward Nyla Bailey then made a jumper; Salazar did the same for HIU as did Colon to put PLNU up 61-60.

Salazar drained a three with 32 seconds to give Hope its last lead of the game, 63-61. The Sea Lions missed on their next try and were forced to foul. That strategy paid off when Morgan Rentie missed at the line and the rebound was pulled in by Bailey.

With just six ticks on the clock, Rhoads delivered on the biggest shot of the night – a three-pointer that gave PLNU a 64-63 triumph. PLNU improved to 20-1 all-time against the Royals.

Bailey contributed 18 points and seven rebounds in the win.

"We played together," said Colon. "Hope International played well but we came through at the end. Our communication is getting better and it really helps when everyone is fired up and positive. We had that tonight. Everyone, even people not in the game, were vocal and encouraging."

The Sea Lions return home on Saturday to take on Biola. Tip-off in Golden Gymnasium is slated for 5:30 pm.