Box Score

NAMPA, Idaho - Judd Welfringer scored 21 points and AJ Ussery added a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Point Loma men's basketball team to a 65-54 win in a hostile environment over Northwest Nazarene in the season opener for both teams on Friday, Nov. 8.

Welfringer scored 12 of his 21 points in the second half to help PLNU (1-0) overcome a three-point halftime deficit. The sophomore guard went 4-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 from behind the arc but did most of his damage at the free throw line where he went 11-of-13. Welfringer also added seven rebounds and a game-high five assists.

The 14 rebounds for Ussery were a career-high, and seven of those boards came on the offensive glass. He also hit 5-of-11 shots from the field to go along with a block and two steals. Hayden Lescault also reached double-figures with 15 points.

"Judd was able to get to the rim and to the free throw line tonight," said Point Loma head coach Bill Carr. "That is his game and he really helped us out on a night whcih we didn't shoot that well."

Kevin Rima paced NNU with 15 points and nine rebounds.

The Crusaders led much of the first half and built a seven-lead at the 4:33 mark. This would be the largest deficit the Sea Lions would face all night. Lescault and Sam Okhotin both hit jumpers before the half, and Ussery added a dunk to put PLNU down 32-29 at the half.

In the second half, Point Loma cut the lead to two points on a free throw by Junior Morgan just 40 seconds into the half. NNU then scored on each of its next possessions to push its lead back to seven. Then came the Sea Lions' run which ultimately decided the game. The Sea Lions would score 18 of the next 21 points turning their seven point deficit into a 10 point lead. Lescault scored six of his 15 points during this run and the Sea Lions hit eight of their 12 shots from the field, with many of those coming on close shots at the rim.

NNU would not go away easily though in front of its raucous homecoming crowd. The Crusaders fought back with a 12-5 run of their own to cut the Sea Lions' lead to three with 3:29 remaining. However, PLNU had the answer as Welfringer hit a pair of free throws before Ussery and Marek Klassen each knocked down jumpers as Point Loma closed the game on a 10-2 run to ensure the victory.

"In the second half Ussery and Junior Morgan really stepped up their games and were difference makers on defense," said Carr. 

"It was a really good crowd for NNU tonight," Carr continued. "They came out with energy but we were able to withstand that initial push and eventually fight back to take the lead and then hold on for a well earned victory." 

In the game PLNU outscored NNU in the paint 36-24 and committed only nine turnovers compared to 15 for the Crusaders. The Sea Lions also turned up the heat defensively in the second half holding Northwest Nazarene to 32 percent shooting from the floor after it had shot 44 percent in the opening half. the difference in the game came down to the Sea Lions' ability to get to the free throw line. They took 30 free throws compared to just 14 for NNU, and outscored them by 11 at the charity stripe. 

The Point Loma men's basketball team will be back on the court tomorrow night when it faces the College of Idaho in Caldwell at 8:00 p.m. (PST).