RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Freshman point guard Josh Rodriguez matched his career-high with 24 points but it was not nearly enough for the Point Loma men's basketball team to overcome No. 18 California Baptist as it fell on the road 98-73 on Saturday, Dec. 19.
 
CBU improved to 11-2 on the season (2-1 PacWest) while PLNU dipped to 5-5 (1-3 PacWest) after suffering their third-straight loss.
 
Rodriguez was 8-of-14 from the field, 2-of-4 from 3-point range and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe to score 24 points for the second straight game. He is now up to seventh in the PacWest in scoring with 17.2 points per game. However, and unfortunately for the Sea Lions, both Rodriguez's high scoring games have come in losses. Tanner Lancona (15) and Judd Welfringer (12) also reached double-figures for the PLNU.
 
California Baptist had five student-athletes score double-figures and the Lancers went 12-of-25 as a team from 3-point range. Michael Smith led the way with a 22-point performance. He was 8-of-15 from the field and 5-of-6 at the line and a knocked down a 3-pointer. He was one of seven Lancers to connect from long range in the game. Smith also pulled down a game-high seven rebounds and dished out seven assists. He is up to second in the PacWest in scoring (19.2 ppg).
 
PLNU's rebounding and CBU's ability to share the ball were the Sea Lions downfalls tonight. The Lancers outrebounded them 42-24, resulting in 19 more shot attempts and a 14-4 advantage in second-chance points. California Baptist had assists on 28 of their 38 baskets, including 16 of their first 18 made shots. Meanwhile, PLNU had just 12 assists on its 24 baskets and lost the turnover battle 18-15.
 
Point Loma fell behind 48-28 at halftime as CBU closed out the first half on a 27-10 run to expand their lead from three points (21-18) to 20 in just over eight minutes. In the second half Point Loma kept battling but never got the differential less than 15.
 
PLNU will now take a competition hiatus over the Holidays before returning to action on Jan. 2 in an exhibition contest at UC Santa Barbara. The game will tipoff at 4:00 p.m.