HILO, Hawaii - Hawaii Hilo scored the first 17 points of the game but the Point Loma women's basketball team fought all the way back to tie the game late only to have their hopes dashed late in a 54-51 loss to the Vulcans (Feb. 23).
 
This was a critical game for PLNU's playoff hopes, both for the PacWest Tournament and for the NCAA West Regional. The loss was the Sea Lions' (17-9, 10-8 PacWest) third straight and it drops them into a tight race with Hawaii Hilo (10-14, 10-9 PacWest) for the final spot in the PacWest Championships.
 
Madison West led the Sea Lions with a game-high 19 points. Alex Brunk notched her 10th double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Roya Rustamzada added seven points and 12 rebounds.
 
Lauren Hong and Kim Schmelz paced UHH with 14 points apiece.
 
After trailing by 17 early, PLNU cut it to five points at the half (52-47) before fighting all the way back to take the 51-48 lead with 1:31 remaining on a 3-pointer by West.
 
Unfortunately for PLNU, it used all its energy in the comeback and came up just short of finishing the game. The Sea Lions made a tough foul with 1:02 left and the Vulcans sunk a pair of free throws to cut the lead to one. PLNU then missed a layup and UHH countered with a jumper to go up 52-51 with 15 seconds left. Point Loma had shots to go ahead or tie it but both the layup and the final 3-pointer were highly contested and they missed their mark.
 
PLNU will continue its road trip against Hawaii Pacific on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m.