RIVERSIDE - Hayden Lescault's game-winning 3-point attempt at the buzzer skipped off the iron to allow No. 11 California Baptist to hold on, 57-55, against the Point Loma men's basketball team on Saturday, Jan. 17.
 
Both teams, whose game next Saturday (Jan. 24) will be shown on the Fox Sports affiliates throughout the Southwest, entered the contest riding long winning streaks. PLNU had won its last seven in a row and CBU its last nine. Unfortunately, it was PLNU that saw its winning streak snapped as it walked away with a loss, to fall to 13-3 on the season and into fifth place in the Pacific West Conference standings with a 6-3 record. The win for CBU, coupled with a road loss for Azusa Pacific at Dixie State (97-91), means the Lancers (14-1, 8-0 PacWest) take over sole possession of first place in the PacWest, as they are the only remaining undefeated team in conference play.
 
"This was a really good college basketball game between two teams that competed hard and played till the end," said Point Loma head coach Bill Carr. "This is why you coach and play college basketball."
 
Point Loma built a 31-25 halftime lead after Mike Planeta had a steal and layup as time expired in the opening 20 minutes, but cold-shooting in the second half led to the Sea Lions' first road loss of the season. PLNU made just 33 percent of its shots in the last 20 minutes, and it committed six of its eight, turnovers, to help aid the Lancers' comeback. CBU opened the second half on an 11-3 run to erase the halftime deficit and would never relinquish the lead back to the Sea Lions.
 
But despite the cold shooting Point Loma battled till the end and had the ball in their senior's hands win the final seconds with a chance to win the game. The Sea Lions were down 57-54 with 15 seconds left when Lescault drove the lane. His left-handed shot rolled off the rim but Zach Burnham was there and was fouled on his tip attempt. He made 1-of-2 free throws and then PLNU subsequently fouled CBU's Ryan Berg with 12 seconds left sending him to the line for a 1-and-1.
 
Berg's first shot hit the front rim and PLNU grabbed the rebound. Marek Klassen rushed the ball down to Lescault and the two exchanged the ball with a handoff on the right side of the top of the 3-point line. Lescault took two dribbled and pulled up with a look at the basket from three feet behind the arc. His shot had the distance but it hit the rim and skipped off as time expired for the Sea Lions' first road loss of the season.
 
Judd Welfringer led PLNU with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. He also added six rebounds. Burnham and Junior Morgan each reached double-figures with 10 points. Lescault led the Sea Lions on the glass by matching his season-best with seven rebounds.
 
Gelaun Wheelwright paced the Lancers with a game-high 15 points. Michael Smith added 11 points, and Berg came off the bench with 10.
 
Point Loma will have the chance to avenge this loss on national television next Saturday, Jan. 24 when the Sea Lions host the Lancers on Fox Sports affiliates throughout the Southwest.  The game will tipoff at 7:00 p.m.
 
However, before taking on CBU the Sea Lions will have to travel to another one of the top teams in the PacWest, Azusa Pacific, on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7:00 p.m.
 
"We will get back to practice on Monday and get the guys ready to play Wednesday," added Carr.