ORANGE, Calif. - The game did not go the way coach Ryan Looney and his staff ever would have scripted but he had to be happy with the Sea Lions' effort on the glass as the Point Loma men's basketball team outrebounded Saint Leo by plus-28 to win its season opener in the Disney Tip-Off Classic, 62-53. (Nov. 3)
 
The Sea Lions fought through the press, a few cold shooting spells and some foul trouble to get the victory. Noah Stapes paced Point Loma with 12 points, including two 3-pointers. Sterling Somers led the team's effort on the glass with nine rebounds. He also had a game-high eight assists.
 
Point Loma jumped out to a 20-8 lead but saw it whittled away to 25-21 at halftime, and vanish completely when SLU went up 31-30 early in the second half. The Sea Lions answered with an 8-0 spurt and never again relinquished the lead.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (1-0), Saint Leo (0-1)
 
The Turning Point
Point Loma responded to its first deficit of the contest with its 8-0 run. Four different Sea Lions scored in the run, including Noah Stapes, who hit a 3-pointer to start the scoring spurt. PLNU would add a 15-2 run just a few minutes later to extend its lead into double-figures.
 
Words from Coach Looney
On his team: "I learned today that we have some toughness. We were a little sloppy on the offensive end and did not execute well. But on the other end our defense was lights out and our rebounding was spectacular."
 
On Saint Leo: "They were extremely long and athletic. They are a team that pressures the length of the floor all game and get out in the passing lanes in the half court. They disrupted us a bit. But our team did a fantastic job of dominating the glass on both ends which negated their style a little bit."
 
News and Notes
> This is the first season opening win for Point Loma since 2014-15
> Noah Stapes is coming off a redshirt season. This was his first career game
> PLNU overcame a 15-9 turnover disadvantage in the victory
> Point Loma had assists on 19 of its 21 baskets
> Due to foul trouble Preston Beverly was limited to just eight minutes on the floor
 
Up Next
The Point Loma men's basketball team will play its final game in the Disney Tip-off Classic tomorrow at 4 p.m. against Jefferson.