ST. GEORGE, UTAH - Roya Rustamzada scored 25 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and posted four steals for the Point Loma women's basketball team on the road at Dixie State, however, she fouled out at the end of regulation and the Sea Lions found a way to rally without her, to earn an 85-80 win in overtime.
 
The 25 points were a season-high for the senior from Temecula as she made a career-best 11 baskets. Grace Brady added 13 points and seven rebounds in her first career start. She was 7-of-9 from the charity stripe and also had four blocks. Sydney Peterson and Cara Liggins also reached double-figures with 14 and 15 points, respectively.
 
PLNU led most of the fourth quarter and looked like it was going to seal the game when Rustamzada drove the lane late in the game, but the opposite happened. Rustamzada's bank shot bounced off the rim and when she went for the offensive rebound she fouled the Dixie State player with 12.9 seconds left putting the Trailblazers's Mariah Martin at the line for two free throws trailing 70-69, while Rustamzada recorded her fifth foul. Martin hit 1-of-2 free throws to send the game to overtime.
 
In the extra period the freshmen stepped up without Rustamzada. They scored 13 of its 15 points in the final five minutes as the team went 11-of-14 shots from the charity stripe. The Sea Lions also forced four turnovers from the Trailblazers in the final three minutes of overtime to pull out the road victory.  
 
Team Records
Point Loma (8-4, 3-2 PacWest), Dixie State  (6-6, 2-3 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win pushed PLNU over .500 and in the middle of the PacWest standings early in the conference season. It also completes their tough five-game road trip to open conference play. Dixie State drops to 2-3 in conference with the loss.
 
The Turning Point
The game all turned when Point Loma started hitting its free throws and got a big defensive stop late in overtime. After taking back the lead on a pair of free throws by Grace Brady with 50 seconds left, Sydney Peterson extended the lead to 81-78 with 29 seconds remaining. Dixie State had the opportunity to answer but Stephanie Williams stepped in front of Ali Franks' pass with 20 20 seconds left and made the steal. She proceeded to get fouled and knock down both her free throws to push the Sea Lions' lead to five point with 20 seconds left. Brady would seal the game with two more free throws with 11 seconds left.

Thoughts from Coach Faulkner
On the free throw shooting: "We made it an emphasis to get into the paint today. We did a good job attacking and getting to the line. We missed a few more than I would have liked but Grace and others made big ones down the stretch to get us the win."
 
On Rustamzada's performance: "She has been awesome all year. She is just so versatile in her role and now she has to score more. She is a tough guard because of her great court vision and strength. This was just an awesome game, and I am so proud of her."
 
On getting the road win: "This was a great win. Our freshmen really grew up today, and I was proud of the team effort. This was the last of a five-game road stretch for us to open PacWest play against some of the top teams in the league and I am really proud to go 3-2."

News and Notes
> Four of the five starters for PLNU scored in double-figures and they accounted for 83.5% of team's scoring
> The 19 rebounds matched a career-high for Rustamzada
> It was Rustamzada's fourth straight double-double and ninth on the season. She has scored in double-figures in all 12 games this season and her lowest rebounding total is eight.
> PLNU was without its leading scorer, Tayla Hepburn (19.1 ppg)
> Sydney Peterson made her first 19 career college free throw attempts
> Taylor Moeaki scored a career-high 20 points to pace Dixie State

Up Next
Point Loma will host a pair of PacWest foes next week. The Sea Lions will welcome in Concordia on Wednesday, Jan. 3 and California Baptist on Friday, Jan. 5. Both games will tipoff at 5:30 p.m.