SAN DIEGO - This season the Point Loma women's basketball team has had great success with the combination of four student-athletes in double-figures scoring, a tenacious defensive effort and a strong finish at the end of the game. That recipe for success was on display again on Friday (Nov. 27) as the Sea Lions defeated Cal State Dominguez Hills, 66-59, at the CBU Thanksgiving Tournament.  
 
This is the second victory for PLNU over 2014-15 NCAA West Regional runner-up CSUDH this season. The Sea Lions are now 5-0 on the year, while the Toros dropped to 3-5.
 
Point Loma once again met its first ingredient for success with four student-athletes reaching double-figures in scoring. Roya Rustamzada led the way with a game-high 23 points. She also pulled in a career-best 13 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Madison West and Alex Brunk added 13 points apiece, and Sydney Tonack chipped in with 10 points and five blocks. Brunk also had 11 rebounds to register her second double-double of the season against the Toros.  
 
On the other end of the court, PLNU posted its best defensive effort of the season. It limited the Toros to just 31 percent shooting in the contest, including 25 percent from 3-point range. Point Loma also outscored CSUDH by eight at that charity stripe, as the Sea Lions made more free throws (14) than the Toros had free throw attempts (nine). PLNU also matched the bigger CSUDH team on the boards, as each squad pulled down 50 caroms.
 
The game was back and forth throughout. PLNU led 37-35 at the half but a run by the Toros in the third quarter put them in front 48-45. The Sea Lions responded, as they have late every game this season, with a crucial run that seized them control of the game. Facing their largest deficit of the second half, PLNU went on an 11-2 run which put them in from 56-50 early in the fourth quarter. CSUDH would cut the lead back to one, but the Sea Lions held strong and closed out on an 8-2 run to win the game.
 
The Sea Lions will be back on the court on Saturday, Nov. 28 to face Cal State LA at Noon.