Box Score
AZUSA, Calif. -It is that unwritten rule in sports that you just never want to run into a team you already beat twice already that season; and unfortunately that is exactly what happened on Tuesday night when the Point Loma women's basketball team lost to Azusa Pacific 71-60 in the NCCAA West Regional final in the third meeting between the teams this season.
The loss ends the Sea Lions' nine-game winning streak. They complete their season at 18-10. APU is now 19-8 and will head to the NCCAA Championships in Winona Lake, Ind., on Mar. 19-22.
Jessica Escorza was one point off her career-high with 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting. She scored 23 of her 31 points in the second half as she made 8-of-10 shots.
Savannah Erskine also added 13 points and a team-leading nine rebounds but these were the only two Sea Lions to reach double-figures.
The Sea Lions struggled from behind the arc all game making just 4-of-24 shots from long range, and 1-of-12 in the first half as APU built a 33-25 lead at the break. In the second half the Sea Lions fought back and cut the lead to two points on a layup by Erskine with 7:47 remaining. After the teams traded baskets Azusa scored eight straight points to push its lead back to double-figures with five minutes remaining.
The Sea Lions would not go away that easily and sliced the lead back to four points (64-60) on a pair of free throws by Escorza with 2:13 left. PLNU would get a steal on the next possession but it then committed turnovers on its next two possessions and missed its last three shots from the field for its first loss since Feb. 1.
Sendy Valles and Maggie Dumphy each recorded double-doubles for the Cougars who outrebounded Point Loma 46-32. Both players scored 13 points while Valles grabbed 12 rebounds and Dumphy hauled in 10. Allison Greene led APU with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
"Azusa Pacific is a tough team," said senior guard
Savannah Erskine. "They are very well coached and always a challenge."
This was the third time in less than seven weeks these teams have met. In the first meeting on Jan. 17, PLNU snapped APU's seven-game winning streak to start PacWest play with a 69-61 victory at Golden Gymnasium. Then just over a week ago on Feb. 22, PLNU played its best game of the season to defeat the Cougars 82-61. PLNU led wire-to-wire, including outscoring them 46-26 in the first half, as three Sea Lions scored 20 or more points.
The biggest difference in tonight's loss versus the previous two wins was the 3-point shooting. PLNU had outscored APU from behind the arc in each of its previous games but tonight the Cougars were able to able to make the Sea Lions with four treys.
Despite the loss it was strong season for Point Loma which finished tied for third in the Pacific West Conference at 13-7 (18-10 overall).
Savannah Erskine led the conference in assists (6.0) and steals (3.75), and
Abby Boorman paced the league in blocks (2.71).
"We have good team chemistry and worked hard for each other and love each other," said Erskine. "We went through some tough times this season and always came out of it stronger. I am very proud of everyone.
"We are learning a lot about trusting each other, trusting our coaches and working hard," Erskine continued. "That is why we went on the winning streak (at the end of the year). We shared the will to work and learn together. I hope the young players keep building into the importance of listening, working hard and applying what they have learned."
