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SAN DIEGO -
Weston Ehlers knocked down a game-winning shot with six seconds left to lift Point Loma to a 42-40 win over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Tuesday, Nov. 20 in Golden Gymnasium.
Ehlers' baseline jumper completed a 5-0 run by the Sea Lions that helped them erase a three-point deficit over the final 45 seconds. First AJ Ussary cut the lead to two on his first free throw attempt. Then his second shot rolled off the rim but
Malcolm Collins was there to tip the ball back in and tie the game at 40-40. After a defensive stop, PLNU set up an inbounds play with eight second left on the clock and Ussary found Ehlers open from 14 feet for the game-winning shot.
The win evens Point Loma's record at 2-2 on the season and drops CMS to 0-3. This was also the Sea Lions' first home win of the season.
Point Loma controlled much of the game, including leading by as many as 10 points early in the second half (27-17). CMS fought back with a 16-5 run to take the lead on a Jack Grodahl trey with 6:23 remaining. PLNU came back and tied it at 37-37 on a layup by
Blair Banker with 2:27 on the clock. Grodahl then answered with a 3-pointer from the corner to give CMS a three-point lead with less than two minutes remaining and set up Point Loma's comeback.
That tip-in for Collins completed his best night as a Sea Lion. In just 12 minutes played, Collins led the team with nine points and seven rebounds. He hit 3-of-4 shots for the field, including a 3-pointer. Four of his boards, including that tip-in came on the offensive glass. Ehlers and
Sam Okhotin both finished the game with seven points.
For the fourth straight game PLNU held its opponent under 60 points. Tonight the Sea Lions forced CMS into 22 turnovers, including 16 in the opening half. Point Loma also held the Stags without a point for over 11 minutes in the first half.
The Point Loma men's basketball team will return to action on next Wednesday (Nov. 28) against San Diego Christian. The Sea Lions will host the Hawks at Golden Gymnasium starting at 7:00 p.m.
