SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma men's basketball team made some changes in their starting lineup and it paid off immediately, as it posted a season-high in points to defeat Holy Names, 93-80, on Saturday, Dec. 17.
 
Tanner Lancona benefited from the change right away as he started at the '5' and scored a season-high 19 points, including 15 in the first half. He was 6-of-9 shooting in the opening period and he scored 13 of the Sea Lions' 15 points during a stretch, in which he hit three 3-pointers. Vince Boumann, who came off the bench this game, recorded his fourth double-double of the season with a season-best 24 points and 10 rebounds. He was 9-of-12 from the field in the game. The two big men were just two of five Sea Lions to reach double-figures.
 
Mike Planeta also had a season-high with 20 points. He and Lancona each hit three 3-pointers as the Sea Lions knocked down nine in the game and outscored HNU by 12 from behind the arc. Planeta also grabbed a season-best seven rebounds. Josh Rodriguez was right at his season average with 16 points, six assists and three steals. Sterling Somers added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
 
"We made a handful of open shots tonight which is something we haven't been able to do in a while," said PLNU head coach Ryan Looney. "Boumann provided us a good presence in the post, and the guys did a good job on the offensive glass and got ourselves some second chances.
 
"The coaches also challenged Josh (Rodriguez) all week to be a better distributor and there were moments in the game he did a better job than he did at some points earlier this year," Looney added.
 
In the game, Point Loma outrebounded HNU 46-30, including 18-7 on the offensive glass, and are now outrebounding their opponents by plus-7.6 rebounds per game.
 
"During my time coaching, rebounding has been the cornerstone of our success," said Looney. "It is something that we talk about and preach every day in practice, film or game day. It is an area that is non-negotiable for us and it is an area we have done a much better job statistically than some Point Loma teams in the past, but the reality of it is we have a long way to go."
 
Jason Webster had 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting to lead four Hawks in double-figures. Zachary Young added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Point Loma will be in for a tough test on Monday when it travels to St. George, Utah to face Dixie State (5-4, 2-1 PacWest). The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. (PST)
 
"To be able to win on the road against a team like Dixie State you have to bring your hard hat and be ready to work." Looney explained. "You aren't getting out of there successfully without a whole lot of toughness."