LOS ANGELES - The Point Loma women's basketball team was edged in the final minute by Cal State Dominguez Hills 60-56 at the CSULA Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday, Nov. 29.
 
Jessica Escorza led Point Loma with 22 points and seven rebounds. It was her fourth time scoring 20 or more points in six games this season. She was also a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line. Madison West added nine points and four rebounds.
 
PLNU (1-5) built a 12-point lead at 50-38 on Escorza's free throw with 10:13 left. The Sea Lions then went ice cold and did not score for over six minutes while CSUDH (3-3) scored 12 straight points to tie the game at 50-50.
 
The teams then traded baskets and free throws over the next three minutes until a pair of free throws by Escorza tied the game at 56-56 with 1:01 left. The Sea Lions forced the Toros to take a shot with the shot clock winding down and Sydney Tonack blocked it out of bounds. CSUDH got the ball to Talia Rayford for a 3-pointer but her shot came up short. However, she followed her shot, collected the offensive rebound and put in a layup to give the Toros a 58-56 lead with 00:27 left.
 
PLNU came back down the floor and found Jordan Ligons for a jumper to chance to tie the game with 00:14 remaining but her shot came up short and CSUDH collected the rebound. The Sea Lions would foul and Rayford knocked down two free throws to end the game.
 
"These were two challenging games," said PLNU head coach Bill Westphal. "They were good tests for us. Of course we were hoping for a different set of outcomes, but we learned a lot and the experience should serve us well throughout the rest of the year. We are looking forward to getting back in the gym and to get ready for the conference opener on Thursday."
 
Point Loma's next contest will be Thursday, Dec. 4 at home against Dixie State in the Pacific West Conference opener for both teams.