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SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Point Loma didn't score in its final three possessions and came up just short in a wild loss to NAIA No. 18-ranked Concordia University of Irvine Tuesday night in Golden Gym, 79-76.


Senior Jake Johnston gave the Sea Lions a 76-75 lead with a minute remaining, but the visiting Eagles sank four straight free throws and PLNU had two turnovers and a missed three-pointer to close out the contest.

Johnston led all scorers with a season-best 20 points off the bench to go along with 5 rebounds. Rhett Beal added 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. Todd Campbell, playing in just his second game since suffering a concussion, contributed 11 points and six rebounds in the loss.

The loss drops the Sea Lions' record to 12-6 overall, 5-4 in the Golden State Athletic Conference. The Eagles, who started the season ranked No. 1 in the country, rose to 16-4 overall, 6-3 GSAC.
 
The game began on a troubling note, as sophomore Hayden Lescault bumped heads with a Concordia player diving for a loose ball and opened up a large gash on his forehead. He would not return.
 
That play would be indicative of the entire game: a hardnosed, gritty matchup featuring two teams playing for a possible share of the GSAC lead.
 
During the first half, the Sea Lions could not find the hoop, shooting an abysmal 30 percent before halftime. The Eagles fared slightly better, hitting 41 percent of their first half shots.
 
The teams traded baskets for most of the half, but 6'10” center Tommy Granado gave the Eagles a 28-26 margin with just under five minutes left before intermission, a lead they would keep until midway through the second half.
 
The Eagles stretched their lead to seven on a jumper by Joe Hudson, but a free throw by Campbell sent the Sea Lions into the break down 37-31.
 
Despite poor shooting from the field, the Sea Lions survived by nailing 13 of 15 free throws in the first half.
 
After halftime, senior Wil Bush nailed a pair of 3-pointers around a basket by Granado to pull the Sea Lions within two.
 
Concordia pushed their lead back to eight with 16:30 to play. The Sea Lions rallied back again, finally taking the lead with around 12 minutes left on a beautiful spin move from sophomore Anthony Ussery.
 
The Sea Lions continued to cling to a slight lead, and sat on top 62-58 following another basket from Ussery. Then five straight points from Cameron Gliddon gave the Eagles back the lead.
 
The Sea Lions briefly stood briefly in front after a couple of freebies from Beal, but Concordia responded with a 6-0 run to go up 69-64.
 
With the Eagles holding a 73-67 advantage, the Sea Lions made a one last push. A three-point play from Ussery, and a layup from senior Greg Murray pulled the Sea Lions within one.
 
Edward Willis answered with a layup, but sophomore Marek Klassen re-answered with two free throws to set the score at 75-74, Eagles.
 
As the clock wound down, the Sea Lions put the ball in the hands of Johnston, who beat his man and put his team back on top 76-75.
 
But on the ensuing possession, Simon Austin drew a foul for the Eagles and calmly nailed both free throws to give them the lead for good.
 
Willis paced Concordia with 18 points and a game-high eight rebounds and was one of four Eagles in double figures. Gliddon, Dakota Downs, and Alex Rudd added 13,12 and 11 respectively.
 
On Saturday, the Sea Lions will travel up to Santa Barbara to take on GSAC-leading No. 12 Westmont. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.