SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Though the Sea Lions played tough defense Saturday, they were unable to maintain an effective offensive effort and would lose at NAIA fourth-ranked Westmont, 65-48.

Point Loma Nazarene held the Warriors to 33 percent shooting and equaled WC with 44 rebounds but the Sea Lions coughed up the ball 19 times (which led to 15 points) and shot just 30 percent on the night.

Both teams made six three-pointers but the Warriors went to the line 21 times, making 17 while the Sea Lions were only 8-12 at the charity stripe.

PLNU never led Saturday and were behind 35-25 at the half and trailed by a game-high 17 in the final minute of play.

Nyla Bailey recorded a double-double for PLNU by scoring 17 points and pulling in 10 rebounds. Crissa Jackson had 11 points with Callie Rhoads chipping in with seven.

Tugce Canitez paced Westmont with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Teammate Lisa Peterson added 15 points and 11 boards.

The Sea Lions slipped to 13-9 overall, 4-6 against Golden State Athletic Conference opponents while the Warriors (20-1) remained perfect in conference with a 10-0 mark.

“Westmont is playing at a really high level,” said PLNU Coach Bill Westphal. “There is a reason they are in first place. I thought we did some things well but still have work to do for the second half of conference.”

Point Loma will be at San Diego Christian Tuesday for a 5:30 pm GSAC game.