IRVINE, Calif. - For the first time since 2000-01, the Point Loma men's basketball team swept the regular season series against Concordia (CA). On Thursday, PLNU shot 63 percent from the field and dominated the glass to defeat the Eagles 67-50.
 
Five Sea Lions scored in double-figures, led by Tanner Nelson, who scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting.  Preston Beverly and Ziggy Satterthwaite both recorded double-doubles as Point Loma outrebounded Concordia 43-20. Beverly had 10 points and a season-best 14 rebounds. Satterwaite grabbed 10 boards while posting 11 points, three assists and two blocks. Rodriguez dished out four assists to go along with his 10 points and he is now within two assists of breaking the PacWest Conference's all-time record. Sterling Somers added 12 points, and Skyler White chipped in with four blocks.
 
After games like this it is usually the Eagles' defense that people talk about, but today it was the Sea Lions which played the stifling defense. PLNU held CUI to 33 percent shooting and 29.5 points below their average. Point Loma had nearly as many offensive rebounds (nine) as Concordia had defensive rebounds (12), and the leading scorers for Eagles (JT Roach, Geoff Gerlach) were tied with 10 points.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (14-6, 8-3 PacWest), Concordia (11-7, 5-5 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
Point Loma is now fifth in the PacWest with an 8-3 record. The loss drops Concordia to seventh place in the conference standings at 5-5.
 
The Turning Point
Point Loma did not start quick out of the gate but it found its rhythm offensively and defensively nearly simultaneously a few minutes into the game. The Sea Lions went on an 11-2 run to take a lead it would never give back.
 
Words from Coach Looney
On PLNU's defensive effort: "I think we were able to control tempo the entire game. We made a concerted effort to contest on every jumper Roach and Chambers took. I thought our guys did a really good job in that area. On offense we also tried not to let them speed us up. Tempo of the game has a lot to do with the amount of points they scored."
 
On the offense: "Our guys stayed poised and didn't allow the pressure to speed them up. Because of it we were able to stay in our stuff, and when we didn't turn it over, our execution was really good."
 
On playing with the lead: "Our players are so much better than they were at the beginning of the year. They now understand what it takes to win at a higher level. Our last game against Hawaii Pacific and tonight were the two most complete games we have played this year."
 
On rebounding effort: "We know they are the team that causes the most turnovers of anyone in the league, and we had to match that with our effort on the glass."
 
On next game against Azusa Pacific: "They are playing extremely well and we are excited for the opportunity to play against them. Not too many times do you get to play the team that is currently in first place. Our guys will be motivated and we know we have a tough task in front of us, but honestly we need it to see how good we actually are."  
 
News and Notes
> PLNU has won back-to-back games against Concordia after dropping its previous 13 games to the Eagles, dating back to 2010
> Point Loma has won eight of its last nine games
> A game after having a season-low 10 turnovers, PLNU matched its season-high with 20 turnovers
> PLNU outscored Concordia 19-6 on second chance points and 44-22 on points in the paint
> The Sea Lions are 11-1 when posting more assists than their opponent
> This is the fifth time this season Point Loma has outrebounded its opponent by 20 or more
 
Up Next
The Point Loma men's basketball team will return home to host PacWest-leaders Azusa Pacific in Point Loma's ALS Awareness Game on Saturday, Jan 20. The contest will tipoff at 4 p.m.