SAN DIEGO - The monkey is off their back! The Point Loma men's basketball team came from behind against Azusa Pacific to defeat the Cougars in overtime, 92-86, in the PacWest Conference opener for both teams.
 
PLNU is now 5-2 on the season and 1-0 in the PacWest. APU is also 5-2 on the year, but 0-1 in the PacWest. This was the first win for PLNU over APU in PacWest play since both universities joined the league prior to the 2012-13 season.
 
Josh Rodriguez scored 23 points to lead five Sea Lions in double-figures. He was 9-of-17 from the field and 3-of-5 from behind the arc. Tanner Lancona registered a double-double with 16 points and career-best 13 rebounds. Sam Okhotin added 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Judd Welfringer posted 14 points to go along with his seven rebounds. Chad Watkins came off the bench to score 12 points.
 
"We have multiple guys that can score so that makes us hard to guard at times," said Point Loma head coach Bill Carr. "We shot the ball decently and passed well. We were able to get it to the right guys and the right times."
 
One of those key moments came at the end of regulation. PLNU was trailing 78-76 with less than 15 second left. The Sea Lions worked the ball around to Welfringer, who put it on the floor and was fouled on his drive to the hoop. The senior confidently stepped to the free throw line with 00:08 left and knocked down two free throws to tie the game. APU had the final shot in regulation, but it just glanced off the rim and the game headed to overtime.
 
In the extra period, the two teams exchanged their first baskets then PLNU got a defensive stop and Lancona knocked down his third 3-pointer of the game to give Point Loma a lead it would never relinquish. The Sea Lions then went on a 7-1 run in overtime to seize control of the game, and ultimately earn the victory.
 
"That was just a great college basketball game," Carr said. "Both teams battled. Every time we play against APU we know they are going to be prepared and are going to play hard. It is privilege to play against those guys.  
 
"When you are down and are fighting back, you are hoping for overtime," added Carr. "We got our wish and got off to a really good start in overtime.
 
"I am very proud of our guys," he continued. "They played hard and made a few more plays to sneak out the win."
 
Will Ward and Corey Langerveld led APU with 14 points apiece. Four Cougars reached double-figures in scoring.
 
The Point Loma Athletic Department also held its first Military Night at the games today. Both former and active duty military members were honored at the game, and the fans in attendance all wore a special PLNU camouflage logo t-shirt.
 
The Point Loma men's basketball team will continue PacWest play on Saturday, Dec. 5 when it hosts Dixie State at 4:00 p.m.
 
"We will move on and get ready for a really good Dixie State team on Saturday," said Carr.