SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma women's basketball team remained perfect in the early season with a 68-62 non-conference victory over Seattle Pacific on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
 
The Sea Lions are now 4-0, with three of the victories coming against 2014-15 NCAA West Region participants, including SPU. The Falcons are now 2-3 on the season after dropping three straight on their road trip to southern California.
 
Roya Rustamzada scored 18 points to lead four Sea Lions in double-figures. She was 7-of-13 from the field and hit four of PLNU's nine 3-point baskets. The sophomore forward also pulled down a team-leading seven rebounds and had four steals. Alex Brunk added 15 points and four steals. Madison West and Sydney Tonack chipped in with 11 and 13 points, respectively.
 
The Sea Lions overcame a 23-rebound differential by forcing SPU into 25 turnovers, while they turned the ball over a season-low 11 times. PLNU also shot a season-low 38 percent from the field.
 
"It was a struggle tonight," said Point Loma head coach Bill Westphal. "We were tired and we were pressing. It wasn't our best game, but this team has a lot of character and seems to come through when the game is on the line."
 
"I am really happy we were able to come away with another win," Westphal added. "It is not always beautiful, but they find a way to be ahead at the end."
 
PLNU led 29-26 at the half, and extended their lead to 11 points with an 8-0 run to start the second half. They would never give up their lead. SPU cut it to one point at 60-59 with 3:09 remaining in the game but the Sea Lions closed out the game on an 8-3 run to earn their fourth win of the season.
 
Coach Westphal credits the attitude and the will of this year's team to their success late last season when PLNU won 16 of its final 20 games, including knocking off No. 1 seed Alaska Anchorage in the NCAA West Regional.
 
"When you have success late in the year it can spill over to the next year and that what happening," Westphal explained. "These girls have confidence and they expect to win."
 
The Point Loma women's basketball team will now travel to Riverside, Calif., to play in the Thanksgiving Tournament hosted by California Baptist on Nov. 27-28. PLNU will face Cal State Dominguez Hills for the second time this season and Cal State LA. Point Loma will play CSUDH on Friday and CSULA on Saturday. Both games will tipoff at Noon.