SAN DIEGO - There are no easy games in the PacWest Conference. Once again the Point Loma men's basketball team found itself locked in a close game that came down to the final minutes, but unfortunately it was the Sea Lions that ended up on the losing side of an 83-71 decision against Concordia (Jan. 13).
 
This was the fourth time in PacWest play the Sea Lions have fallen short after being ahead or within one basket in the final two minutes of the game. PLNU is now 7-7 on the season and 3-5 in the PacWest. The win lifts CUI into fourth place in the PacWest standings with a 5-3 conference mark (12-3 overall).
 
The game came down to the final minutes once again. PLNU took a one point lead at 64-63 on a 3-pointer by Mike Planeta with 6:09 remaining. Concordia answered with an 8-0 run to go up 73-66 with just under four minutes left, but the Sea Lions were not deterred. They scored five straight points, capped by a 3-pointer from Chad Watkins to come within two at 73-71 and 2:26 remaining. However, that would be the last time the Sea Lions would score as the Eagles outscored them 10-0 down the stretch.  
 
Despite the loss, coach Carr was still pleased with the performance of his team.
 
"Our guys are competitors," said Point Loma head coach Bill Carr. "They don't back down and they are going to keep fighting and competing. We need to get over the hump on some of these close games like we did early in the year. We need to make a few extra plays here and there to have success again the good teams in our league."
 
Sam Okhotin led PLNU with 17 points. Eight of his 17 points came at the free throw line. Tanner Lancona added 16 points and a team-leading five rebounds. Mike Planeta scored 10 of his 13 points in the first half. He hit three 3s to tie with Lancona for the team-lead. Josh Rodriguez added 10 points and seven assists.
 
Concordia shot 60 percent in the game, but PLNU was able to keep pace thanks to 11 second chance points and by outscoring them by six points from behind the arc in a game that featured seven ties and nine lead changes. JT Roach and Stephen Grosey led Concordia with 17 points apiece.
 
"Concordia is a well-coached and physical team," explained Carr. "You have to be ready to play against every team in this league. I thought we competed tonight and made plays, but sometimes you just get beat."
 
The Point Loma men's basketball team will look to bounce back from this loss on Saturday, Jan. 16 when it hosts Holy Names. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
 
"We'll have two really good practices on Thursday and Friday and be ready for our next opponent," noted Carr.