box score

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- Point Loma Nazarene saw an end to its five-game GSAC win streak Saturday night, losing 66-63 to The Master's College.

The loss drops the Sea Lions to 12-5 overall and 5-3 in the GSAC. The Mustands improved to 14-5 overall and at 6-2 stayed tied with Westmont for the GSAC lead.

The Sea Lions led by as much as 10 points in the first half, but they could not overcome some late runs by the host Mustangs.
 
It was a well-played game by both squads, and PLNU Head Coach Bill Carr said he was pleased with his team's performance on the evening.
 
“I thought we had good effort,” said Carr. “I thought we played hard, and I thought we played together. But The Master's was better tonight. They made plays there at the end.”

Greg Murray was one of three Sea Lions in double figures, leading all scorers with 16 points. Rhett Beal contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds, and Wil Bush added 12 points to go along with 4 assists. The three seniors combined for nearly two-thirds of their team's points.
 
The first half belonged almost completely to the Sea Lions. After a few traded baskets to start the game, the Green and Gold sped out in front. A 3-pointer by Beal with 12 minutes left in the half capped a 9-0 run and put his team up 16-8.
 
The Sea Lions pushed the lead up to 10 with just under 10 minutes in the half, but the Mustangs responded with their own 9-0 run over the next three minutes to pull within one.
 
Two free throws by Murray, who had 12 of his 16 points in the first half, ignited another 9-0 run that put the Sea Lions up 30-21.
 
The Mustangs chipped away at the lead for the rest of the half, and the hosts entered halftime down just 33-30 thanks to a 3-pointer by Devin Dyer with 28 seconds remaining. Dyer would finish the game with a team-high 15 points.
 
The second half proved to be a dogfight between two of the GSAC's top teams. Overall, the game featured 12 lead changes and 7 ties.
 
With two and a half minutes remaining and the Sea Lions clinging to a one-point lead, Lief Karlberg nailed a layup to put the Mustangs up on top for good.
 
This time for the Sea Lions, who had won five consecutive GSAC games often in dramatic fashion, there would be no late-game magic.
 
The team had several chances to convert in the final minutes, but missed shots and a couple of late turnovers spoiled the chances for a third-straight miracle comeback.
 
Despite the loss, the Sea Lions demonstrated the type of resilience needed to survive in GSAC. They shot a very respectable 45 percent form the field and matched the Mustangs on the boards with 29 rebounds.
 
“I have no problems with the way our guys played tonight,” said Carr. “They came together, and they fought – and we lost.”
 
Next up for the Sea Lions is a home contest against NAIA No. 6-ranked Concordia University. The Eagles are tied with the Sea Lions for second in the GSAC after losing to No. 16 Westmont Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.