SAN DIEGO - Sam Okhotin delivered a critical 3-pointer with just over minute left and the Point Loma men's basketball team outscored San Diego Christian 8-0 in the final 70 seconds to hang on for a 64-57 victory over its longtime, cross-town rival on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
 
The win lifts PLNU to 8-2 on the season as SDCC slipped to 5-6.
 
After a 10-day competition hiatus the Sea Lions just never seemed to find their rhythm offensively for more than a few possessions at a time. PLNU led for nearly three-quarters of the game but never lead by more than their seven-point margin of victory. The game contained seven tied scores and 15 lead changes.
 
Right when PLNU looked to have the game in control, as they built a seven-point lead (56-49) with 3:30 remaining, the Hawks hit an 8-0 run, capped off by a 3-pointer from the corner, to take a 57-56 lead with 1:33 left.
 
PLNU answered with great offensive execution on its next two possessions to retake control of the game. First Hayden Lescault drove the lane and found an open Sam Okhotin from the corner for a go-ahead trey that put the Sea Lions in front 59-57. Point Loma then got a stop defensively and set up a play for Junior Morgan in which he slipped the screen and Lescault hit him for a layup to put the Sea Lions up four (61-57).
 
The Sea Lions went into full-court press and forced SDC into a turnover at half court on its next possession and then hit three of four free throws down the stretch to seal the game.
 
Point Loma's biggest advantage came in the paint where it outscored SDC 32-14. The Sea Lions also had just 11 turnovers in the game while forcing the Hawks into 18 miscues.
 
Morgan led all scorers with 17 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Marek Klassen also had 14 points including a 3-pointer to extend his streak to 40 straight games with a basket from long range. Okhotin scored 11 points, including hitting three 3-pointers. Daniel Nielsen led SDC with 12 points.
 
This was the seventh time in 10 games this season the Sea Lions have held their opponent to 60 or less points. PLNU is 6-1 in those games.
 
The Point Loma men's basketball team will now head on the road for one of its most critical stretches of the season as it goes to Hawaii for three games on Jan. 3-7. The Sea Lions will open the trip against Chaminade (4-5, 1-2 PacWest) before traveling to Hawaii Pacific (7-2, 3-1 PacWest) and Hawaii Hilo (5-5, 1-3 PacWest).