PLNU Athletics

FRESNO, Calif. - Four Point Loma men's basketball student-athletes scored in double-figures, led by 15 points from Josh Rodriguez, but it was not enough for the Sea Lions to overcome defending NCAA West Region Champion, Western Oregon, in the season opener as they fell 64-62.
 
The game was tight throughout but a 22-9 run by Western Oregon in the middle of the second half broke a 37-37 tie and gave the Wolves a 13-point lead. PLNU chipped away and got the deficit to two points (61-59) with two minutes left on a 3-pointer by Jack Langborg. After WOU pushed it back to a four-point game, Langborg again answered with another 3-pointer, third of the game, to cut the Wolves' lead to 63-62 with 24 seconds left.
 
PLNU fouled on the next possession and the Wolves made just 1-of-2 free throws to give Point Loma a chance to tie or win the game. The Sea Lions worked the ball to Tanner Lancona who drove to the hoop and had a good look to tie the game but his shot rolled off the rim and time expired.
 
Lancona was one of the four Sea Lions in double-figures. He scored 10 points na dadded six rebounds. Langborg came off the bench to score 13 points. Vince Boumann added 12 points (5-of-6 shooting) and a team-high eight rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. Ali Faruq-Bey paced WOU with 19 points.
 
The difference in the game was Point Loma's inability to take care of the ball. The Sea Lions turned it over 21 times, compared to just 12 for Western Oregon. That led to the Wolves getting easy baskets and outscoring the Sea Lions 25-13 in points off turnovers and 17-4 on fast break points. WOU was also a little better inside, outscoring PLNU 3--16 on points in the paint.  
 
The Sea Lions will look to bounce back on Saturday, Nov. 12 against Saint Martin's in the PacWest/GNAC Conference Challenge. The game will start at 5:30 p.m.