[Box score] [Photo gallery]

SAN DIEGO - There is not much difference in looking at Saturday's box score between the Point Loma Sea Lions and Grand Canyon 'Lopes. Both teams made 18 baskets, both are nearly even on turnovers and rebounding but it was the 'Lopes ability to connect on 10 3-point baskets that earned them the 63-51 victory.

This was the 13th straight win for GCU who improved to 14-2 on the season and remained a perfect 4-0 in Pacific West Conference play. The loss drops PLNU to 3-8 (0-4 PacWest).

Grand Canyon got 17 points and three 3-pointers from Braylon Pickrel to lead all scorers. Steve Morin also poured in four shots from behind the arc and finished with 14 points. Arren Wells led PLNU with 11 points. Todd Campbell added 10 on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting.

Despite the 'Lopes advantage from outside the Sea Lions were able to hang in the game thanks to their domination inside where they outscored GCU 26-8 on points in the paint.

The game was back and forth for the first 16 minutes before Grand Canyon closed out the first half on a 7-0 run to take a 32-23 lead into halftime. The 'Lopes would carry that momentum into the second half, where they opened on an 11-0 run. PLNU would battle back and cut the lead to nine (56-47) after a 10-2 run but that is as close as it would get.

PLNU will now go on the road to take on Azusa Pacific on Tuesday, Jan. 8 in a PacWest showdown. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.