Box Score

SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma men's basketball team came into Saturday's game against Academy of Art with just eight student-athletes dressed to play but all that did was create opportunities for the Sea Lions' bench in an 83-73 win over Academy of Art.

All eight student-athletes for the Sea Lions (12-8, 7-7 PacWest) scored at least six points, with six going for nine or more. Marek Klassen's shot from long range was on tonight as he paced Point Loma with 19 points. He went 5-of-8 from 3-point range and 7-of-10 overall.

AJ Ussery added 10 points, a team-leading seven rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals as he did a little bit of everything on the floor for the Sea Lions. Judd Welfringer scored 15 points off the bench as PLNU's reserves outscored the Urban Knights' 30-10. Mike Planeta, Taylor Wetherell and Sam Okhotin each added nine points, respectively.

Point Loma had to deal throughout the game with Urban Knights' strong backcourt. Guards Alexis Moore (22) and Alex Carmon (21) combined to score 43 of AAU's 73 points. Carmon also led the team with nine rebounds and four assists.

PLNU never trailed in the contest as Klassen hit a 3-pointer 13 seconds into the game and the Sea Lions refused to give up their lead. They led 40-27 at halftime and by as many as 15 in the second half but AAU fought back and closed the gap to two points (63-61) with seven minutes remaining.

The Sea Lions did not panic and immediately responded with a 3-pointer by Klassen and a layup by Ussery to go back up by seven. PLNU was leading by nine (75-66) with 2:17 remaining when AAU's coach picked up two technical fouls and Welfringer knocked down 3-of-4 free throws to put the game away.

"I thought we controlled the game and got off to a great start in the first half," said PLNU head coach Bill Carr. "Like most teams, AAU made a run and got the game down to two points but we then put our feet in the sand. We made some plays down the stretch and were able to get some stops when we needed them."

The Sea Lions matched a season-high by making 12 3-point baskets to outscore AAU by 15 from behind the arc. They also turned the ball over only nine times in the contest, their third best total of the season.

"We moved the ball very well today and when you get open shots you have a tendency to make those," Carr noted.

The Point Loma men's basketball team will return to action next Saturday as it travels to longtime rival Fresno Pacific (9-12, 4-9 PacWest). Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.