Box Score   [Box score]

SAN DIEGO - Sam Okhotin matched his career-high with 19 points to pace five Sea Lions in double-figures as the Point Loma men's basketball team dominated its home opener over St. Katherine, 98-60, on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

PLNU (2-1) shot 61 percent for the game, including 52 percent from behind the arc, and had assists on 30 of its 35 baskets. Okhotin came off the bench to hit all six of his shots from the field, and go 3-of-3 from 3-point range en route to matching his career-high of 19 points which he set last season against Notre Dame de Namur.

Marek Klassen led the way with eight assists. He also had a season-best 15 points. Junior Morgan also chipped in with 14 points and game-high six rebounds. Hayden Lescault added 13 points and five steals. AJ Ussery was also perfect from the field as he came off the bench to hit all five of his shots.

Point Loma only trailed at the 2-1 mark. After St. Katherine took the early lead PLNU responded with an 8-0 run to take the lead for good. PLNU's largest lead would 24 points as Morgan hit a layup with time expiring in the opening half to put the Sea Lions in front 51-27. The lead would increase to as many as 43 points in the second half as Okhotin knocked down his third trey of the game at the 7:19 mark.

Every Point Loma student-athlete that saw the floor tonight recorded a point, as 12 Sea Lions got in the scoring column.

This was the strongest defensive effort of the season thus far for PLNU. It held the Firebirds to 37 percent shooting and forced them into 26 turnovers. PLNU had 20 steals in the game and all but three Sea Lions recorded a theft.

"We competed very well tonight," said PLNU head coach Bill Carr. "We bounced back from the week in Idaho, and came out tonight with energy and passion, and tried to guard someone in the first half."

The Sea Lions fans were hoping PLNU would hit the century mark tonight. They had 85 points at the under eight minute media timeout in the second half but coach Carr had his team take their foot off the gas and cruise to the 98-60 victory.

"We still have lots of things to fix but it is always nice to get a win at home to start the season," Carr said.

St. Katherine was led by 15 points from Wade Shugrue.

The Point Loma men's basketball team will be home again this Saturday when it hosts Olivet Nazarene for Homecoming. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.