Box Score

LOS ANGELES - Callie Rhoads scored 27 points and helped the Sea Lions close out the game on an 11-4 run to earn a hard-fought 74-69 win over Cal State LA in the Thanksgiving Classic.

PLNU trailed 65-63 with less than two minutes remaining but were able to find its run to even its season record at 2-2. Escorza brought the Sea Lions within one point on a free throw with 1:25 remaining. She then hit a layup and was fouled 10 seconds later to give PLNU the two point lead (67-65). The Sea Lions would then seal the game at the free throw line as they hit 7-of-8 shots from the charity stripe in the final 45 seconds. Savannah Erskine was a perfect 6-for-6 from the line in the final 45 ticks.

Rhoads led all scorers in the game with 27 points. She was 9-of-16 from the field and 6-of-9 from 3-point range. She also hauled in a team-leading nine rebounds to barely miss the double-double. Escorza had 17 points in the win, and that flurry of free throws late put Erskine in double-figures with 13 points.

Point Loma won the game despite shooting just 34 percent from the field. However, its defense was outstanding all game long. It forced CSULA (3-1) into 31 turnovers and limited them to just 10 3-point attempts.

"The defense was key all game," said Rhoads. "We were all on the same page-talking and working together. That translated into energy and really brought us together as a team."

That strong defense was able to help PLNU overcome a 51-29 discrepancy on the glass. Destiney La Fountain led the Golden Eagles with 19 points and 15 rebounds. PLNU also outscored CSULA by 12 points at the line (23-11) and from 15 points from behind the arc.

"That was a hard-earned win against a good and very physical team," Rhoads continued. "A win like that gives us confidence that if we prepare and come ready we can compete with anyone."

Rhoads and Escorza were both named to the all-tournament team after scoring in double-figures both games.

The Sea Lions will now take to the road for a three-game swing into the Bay Area. They will open PacWest play on Tuesday against Academy of Art, before facing Holy Names on Thursday and Dominican (CA) on Saturday.