RIVERSIDE - There is something about seeing California Baptist that brings out the best in Point Loma senior Jessica Escorza. After recording just the second triple-double in school history against the Lancers in last season's regular season finale, Escorza followed up last year's performance with an 18-point, 12-rebound, and seven-assist effort in a 75-67 win over CBU on Saturday, Jan. 17.
 
The Sea Lions (8-8, 5-3 PacWest)  handed California Baptist (13-3, 6-2 PacWest) its first home loss of the season while extending their own winning streak to four straight, and five of their last six.
 
Escorza missed registering another triple-double against CBU by three assists, but still posted her third double-double in her last four contests. She went 6-of-12 from the field, including hitting two 3-pointers. She had 11 of her 18 points in the first half to help PLNU build a 34-20 halftime lead. In the second half she started handing out the assists, as five of her seven dimes came after the break.
 
It was not all about Escorza, however, as four of the five Sea Lion starters scored in double-figures. Madison West matched Escorza with 18 points. West had the most crucial basket in the contest for Point Loma. PLNU built its advantage to as many as 21 points in the second half but Cal Baptist continued to chip away at the lead and whittled it down to just three points (63-60) on 3-pointer by the Lancers with 3:21 remaining. PLNU immediately responded by breaking CBU's press and Anna Viettry found an open West on the right side of the perimeter for the open look. The basket seized the momentum back for PLNU, and the Lancers would never again get closer than four points.
 
Sydney Tonack and Roya Rustamzada joined West and Escorza in double-figures. Tonack posted 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting, for her third straight game in double-figures. Rustamzada registered 13 points, and went 6-of-7 at the free throw line, including hitting four crucial shots from the charity stripe in the last 1:10 of the contest.
 
"After playing well against an outstanding team like the Academy of Art we wanted to keep up the energy and enthusiasm," said Jessica Escorza. "The Hawaii trip really helped us come together - it was great being together on such an amazing trip, and we played pretty well too.
 
"I really like our young team," Escorza continued. "I learn from them and hopefully they can learn from me and what I've done during my three years at Point Loma. I think we have great chemistry and we are peaking at the right time!"
 
Point Loma will face another one of the top teams in the PacWest on Wednesday (Jan. 21) when it travels to Azusa Pacific (10-6, 6-3 PacWest) to face the Cougars in a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.