[Box score] [Photo gallery]

SAN DIEGO - Point Loma Nazarene cut a 10-point deficit to just three points in the final minute, but they were unable to pull out the win, falling 59-53 to Cal Baptist Saturday (Jan. 12) in Golden Gymnasium.

The Lancers came into the contest averaging more than 78 points per game. But the Sea Lions' defense held them nearly 20 points below their average, including a four-and-a-half-minute scoreless stretch to start the game.

Taylor Wetherell was all over the place for the Sea Lions. The junior went 3-for-6 from 3-point range to finish with nine points, grabbed six rebounds, racked up three steals, dished out four assists, including one monstrous alley-oop to AJ Ussery. Senior Todd Campbell led the team with 10 points, and Ussery grabbed a team-high eight boards.

The Sea Lions sped out to a 9-0 lead capped by a 3-pointer from Oivind Lundestad. The Lancers then battled back, and a layup from Kevin Crabb gave CBU an 18-17 lead with eight minutes to go in the first half.

The teams traded the lead a few more times, but it was the Lancers who entered halftime up 29-28.

After the break, the Sea Lions couldn't find the hoop, missing their first 10 shots of the half. Campbell finally broke the drought after seven minutes with a pair of free throws, but CBU had built its lead to nine.

The Green and Gold battled for the rest of the game, and twice cut the CBU's lead to just three points, but that was the closest they would get the rest of the night. The Lancers nailed six of eight free throws in the final minute and a half to close out the game.

With the loss, the Sea Lions fell to 3-10 on the season (0-6 Pacific West Conference). The Lancers improved to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in the PacWest.

After a week off, the Sea Lions will hit the road to take on Grand Canyon University next Saturday in another PacWest tilt. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:15 pm (PST). The 'Lopes are currently 14-3 overall and 5-1 in the PacWest.