AZUSA, Calif. – The Sea Lions started the 2017-18 season with an emphatic 25-point win over the Toros of Cal State Dominguez Hills. Point Loma played aggressively from tip-off until the last seconds were off the clock. Two quick threes got PLNU out to a 6-0 lead and the team never looked back. While the team did struggle some with turnovers, they didn't let the Toros capitalize on their turnover opportunities.
 
The team has several new players on the team and three newcomers were in the starting lineup, freshmen Sydney Peterson and Cara Liggins as well as transfer Tayla Hepburn. These new players along with core returners, Alex Brunk and Roya Rustamzada came out strong and provided great energy throughout the game. Rustamzada secured a double-double, near a triple-double, and Brunk came close to a double-double herself.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (1-0), Cal State Dominguez Hills (0-1)
 
Faulkner Says
On the early offense: "We moved the ball really well all game but we shot the ball particularly well in that first quarter. Getting out to the early lead helped relax our younger players who haven't been in games like this and it really allowed us to play our game."
 
On the defense: "Our defensive principles are to be able to handle our own player and keep them in front of us. We knew if we could do that and close out they would struggle to score, and they did. I thought we did a very good job of following the game plan, especially in the first half. There are still plenty of areas for us to improve on but we were pretty good tonight."
 
On the new players: "They did great. We have a lot of new faces. We are starting two freshmen guards and a transfer at center. We had two scrimmages to get us prepared and I think we will continue to get better with each game. Carol Schroeder also came off the bench and gave us great energy. Our whole bench did an awesome job and there was almost no drop off."
 
On the veterans: "Brunk and Roya (Rustamzada) were their usual selves. Roya had a double-double and almost a triple-double. Brunk almost got a double-double too. Stephanie is working her way back in after an injury and is getting her confidence back. It is nice because we are starting to get healthy and it will allow us to improve every day." 

 
News and Notes
> This marks the third season in a row that the Sea Lions have won their season opener.
> The Sea Lions are 11-11 all-time when playing the Toros. 
 
Up Next
The Sea Lions will be in action again tomorrow in their second game of the CCAA/PacWest Challenge against Cal Poly Pomona at 1 p.m.