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FRESNO, Calif. – Nyla Bailey scored 29 points to help Point Loma Nazarene pick up their first Golden State Athletic Conference victory of the season by beating Fresno Pacific 62-44 Saturday afternoon.  

The Green and Gold continues its run of recent success against the Sunbirds, posting its 17th-consecutive win over their conference rivals. The last time that a PLNU squad lost to FPU was in a first-round GSAC tournament game on February 28, 2002.

More importantly, the triumph puts PLNU in the GSAC win column for the first time this year. The Sea Lions are now 1-3 in conference, 10-6 overall. FPU fell to 10-6, 2-2 GSAC.

The Sea Lions never trailed against the Sunbirds Saturday. When Andrea Campbell put in a layup at the 13:42 mark of the first half she gave PLNU an 8-6 advantage over FPU, one that they would hold onto for the remainder of the game.

Though neither side lit up the scoreboard, Loma's defense stifled the Sunbirds for most of the game, especially over the first 20 minutes. The Sunbirds managed just 15 points in the first half; the Sea Lions ahead 27-15 at the break.

Bailey's jumper and one to start the second half ignited the Sea Lions who took a 15-point lead. Following a mini Sunbird run, PLNU was again up by 15 (40-25) eight minutes into the second stanza. The margin of victory at game's end was 18 points.

Both teams shot under 40 percent (PLNU: 37 percent; FPU 33 percent) and the two teams combined for just five three-pointers. The biggest differences between the Sea Lions and Sunbirds were the 14 free throws made by PLNU (compared just five from Fresno) and the 22 FPU turnovers that were turned into 16 points.

Bailey led all scorers by going 12-for-28 from the field and 5-6 from the stripe. Brianna Colon chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds. Kiley Berlinski added seven boards to the PLNU win with Crissa Jackson posting six points and six assists.

"Defense was the big key tonight," said Berlinski. "We played defense better than we have anytime before. If we play with the same mentality that we played with tonight, we will be ready for the rest of the season."

Stephanie Larson came off the bench to score a team-best 15 points for FPU. Jenay Herring had 14 points.

The Sea Lions will be on the road Tuesday, taking on Hope International at 5:30 pm.