SAN DIEGO - Madison West scored a game-high 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting to lead the Point Loma women's basketball team to a 72-57 victory over Holy Names on Saturday, Jan. 16.
 
The win lifts the Sea Lions (11-5, 5-4 PacWest) over .500 in the PacWest for the first time this season. It also gives PLNU sole possession of sixth place in the PacWest standings. The top six in the final standings will qualify for the PacWest Conference Tournament in Irvine, Calif., on Mar. 3-5. The loss dropped HNU 4-13 on the season and to 3-6 in the PacWest. The Hawks are still looking for their first win on the road this season (0-9).
 
West's 19 points led four Sea Lions in double-figures but she also did a bit of everything Saturday to help the PLNU win its third straight. She hit four of the team's six 3-pointers, and led the team in both steals (three) and assists (five) while playing 38 minutes. Alex Brunk had her fourth double-double of the season, and third in her last five games, as she posted 12 points and team-leading 11 rebounds. Sydney Tonack had 16 points, mostly coming off pick-and-rolls, to helped Point Loma outscore Holy Names in the paint 40-24.
 
"Teams are pretty concerned about our 3-point shooting so when they jump out on that Sydney has been doing a good job of rolling to the hoop and getting easy baskets," said PLNU head coach Bill Westphal.
 
Point Loma used those easy looks to shoot 51 percent in the game, while holding HNU to a 36 percent clip from the field. However, coach Westphal was still not happy about his team's offensive execution.
 
"The final numbers are really good the only problem is the 20 turnovers," explained Westphal. "That is just too many and we are leaving about 20 points on the floor.
 
"We have a really good defense until we get tired or start fouling," continued Westphal, "but many times this game we just shut them down without a shot. The defense is pretty good but we have trouble being the front-running team because we are just a little too nice."
 
Jordan Ligons came off the bench tonight for PLNU and poured in a season-best 10 points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting, including 2-of-2 from long range. Chariaha Scott and Isabelle Ayad paced HNU with 13 points apiece. Tatiana Howard added a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Point Loma women's basketball team will now head on the road for its longest two road trips of the season. The Sea Lions will look for revenge for a loss earlier in the season against Dixie State on Monday, Jan. 18, before heading to Fresno Pacific on Saturday, Jan. 23. Monday's contest will tipoff at 2:00 p.m. (PST) and the game against FPU will start at 5:30 p.m.
 
"We have to get better every game, and this was a step in the right direction but we are going to have to play better than this if we hope to win at Dixie State," said Westphal.
 
"There are several defining moments in every season and with this next stretch against below .500 teams we have to win them all and get a little streak going," he concluded.