[Box score]

SAN DIEGO - Behind a dominant defense, Point Loma Nazarene cruised to a 55-41 nonconference home victory over Cal State San Marcos Wednesday night in Golden Gymnasium.

Junior Callie Rhoads led the Sea Lions with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists, as well as five of PLNU's 19 steals on the night. Sophomore Erin Andersen tallied a double-double with 13 points and a team-high 10 boards.

The Sea Lions combined a smothering full-court press with a nearly impenetrable zone defense to force 31 turnovers and hold the visiting Cougars more than 20 points below their season average.

The women got out to a fast start, racing out to a 7-0 thanks to a 3-pointer from Rhoads and a pair of layups from senior Andrea Campbell, who finished the game with four blocked shots.

The Cougars would tie the game at seven and even took a brief 10-9 lead over the Green and Gold, but it was short-lived. The Sea Lions shot 5-9 from long range in the first half and entered the break up 25-17. San Marcos shot just 20 percent (6-30) from the field in the first half.

PLNU continued to roll after halftime, opening the second frame with an 8-0 capped by a pair of Andersen free throws. Time after time, the Cougars tried to break the PLNU press, but every Cougar pass seemed to land right in the hands of a blitzing Sea Lion.

By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Sea Lions had notched 13 steals in the second half alone.

Though they played great defensively, holding San Marcos to just 27 percent shooting on the night, the Sea Lions were somewhat sloppy on offense. PLNU shot just 36 percent for the game and gave up 28 turnovers of their own.

The win over San Marcos lifts the Sea Lions to 5-8 on the season (2-4 in the PacWest conference), while the Cougars fell to 9-16.

This weekend, the Sea Lions will travel to Phoenix to take on Grand Canyon University Saturday (14-4 overall, 6-1 PacWest). Tipoff is scheduled for Noon (PST).