[Box score]

SAN DIEGO - Azusa Pacific's Troy Leaf sank two free throws with 4.5 seconds remaining to spoil Todd Campbell's late tip-in and lift the Cougars over the Point Loma men's basketball team 51-50, in the first-ever Pacific West Conference game for both teams (Dec. 1).

The loss drops PLNU to 2-4 on the season (0-1 PacWest) and improves APU to 3-2 (1-0 PacWest).

For the third straight game PLNU found itself in a battle to the wire. This time the Sea Lions wiped out a four-point lead for APU with 1:27 remaining as the senior Campbell hit a 3-pointer, then he tipped in Sam Okhotin's missed layup with seven seconds left to put Point Loma up one (50-49).

The Cougars got the ball into the hand of their top scorer Leaf who was fouled on a reach after crossing half court to go to the charity stripe with the game on the line. He calmly stepped up and sunk both free throws to lift Azusa Pacific to the win.

Leaf entered the game averaging 22.8 points per game but the Sea Lions held him to just 1-of-9 shooting and six points. He also turned the ball over six times. Christian Katuala led three Cougars in double-figures with 13 points.

Oivind Lundestad came off the bench for PLNU to score a season-high 13 points. He hit 4-of-6 from behind the arc to reach double-figures for the second straight game. Campbell added eight points and tied with AJ Ussary for the team-lead with seven rebounds.

PLNU hit a season-high 10 treys while shooting 40 percent from long range in the contest. Point Loma held APU to just 3-of-15 from behind the arc and 35 percent shooting in the game. However, the Cougars won the turnover battle (19-15) and outscored the Sea Lions 26-9 in points off turnovers. 

The Sea Lions will now travel to Cal State San Marcos for a non-conference game on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. They will then continue PacWest play when they head to St. George, Utah to play Dixie State on Dec. 15.