SAN DIEGO -The Point Loma men's basketball team opened the game on a 16-1 run and then held off a late comeback attempt to defeat Academy of Art, 84-70, for its seventh straight victory (Jan. 14).
 
The Sea Lions now move into a tie with Dixie State for third place in the Pacific West Conference standings at 6-2 (13-2 overall). The loss drops ART U to 1-7 in the conference and to 3-11 on the season.
 
Junior Morgan had 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting to lead four Sea Lion starters in double-figures. He also added seven rebounds. Sam Okhotin had 19 points including hitting 5-of-7 shots from behind the arc. This was the fourth time this season Okhotin has made at least five 3-pointers in a game. Marek Klassen added 15 points and two treys for PLNU which made 8-of-13 shots from long range. Hayden Lescault registered his fifth straight game in double-figures with 11 points. Judd Welfringer was the only Sea Lion starter not in double-figures, but he still scored nine points while tying Morgan with a team-leading seven rebounds.
 
The Sea Lions started the game on fire and never trailed in the contest. They scored on their first five possessions to take a 16-1 lead and would go up by as many as 29 points (45-16) before halftime. PLNU shot 77 percent in the opening half, including making 6-of-7 shots from 3-point range.
 
"The beginning of the game we had good energy on offense, the ball was moving and we got some really good looks," said Point Loma head coach Bill Carr. "Our defense leads to our offense and that was certainly what happened at the beginning of the game."
 
ART U made their own run in the second half and cut Point Loma's lead to 10 (58-48) with 12:07 left but PLNU responded with offensive efficiency and defensive execution to maintain its lead and hold on for the win.
 
"Teams in this conference are good and when you get up they are going to make a run at you," Carr explained. "You have to keep playing, grind it out on defense and handle the pressure. That is just what you have to do when you get a lead."
 
Alexis Moore had 23 points on 6-of-17 shooting to lead Academy of Art.
 
Point Loma took and made a season-high for free throws as it converted on 28-of-32 shots from the charity stripe. All five starters had at least four free throws. PLNU made more free throws (28) than ART U even attempted (20). Point Loma finished the contest shooting 65 percent from the field. This was the seventh straight game PLNU has shot at least 44 percent, and fifth straight it has made over 47 percent of its 3-point attempts.
 
"Obviously when you can make 28 free throws in a game and shoot a high percentage it is going to help you win some games and I am proud of my guys," said Carr.
 
"We have to keep playing hard and keep improving; which is the most important thing," Carr continued. "You can't stay the same in this conference; you have to continually keep improving. It is a challenge for everyone but something we have to do moving forward."
 
Point Loma will travel to No. 11 California Baptist on Saturday, Jan. 17 to face the Lancers at 7:00 p.m. CBU is currently 7-0 in the PacWest and 13-1 on the season.