SAN DIEGO – Point Loma headed on the short road trip to face Cal State San Marcos Tuesday evening to take on a tough Cougar team. The Sea Lions put together a solid effort, but it would be the Cougars who prevailed 74-64.
 
After keeping pace with CSUSM through the first half, the Sea Lions allowed the Cougars to go on a 16-2 run to open the third quarter, which pushed their lead to 18. Point Loma closed the third quarter on a 14-6 run, but they found themselves down ten points with just one quarter to go. Down 12 in the fourth quarter, Cara Liggins hit a three to spark a 9-0 run to cut the Cougars lead to three points. But, from that point on it was all Cougars as they pushed their lead back to double figures earning the win.
 
Liggins led the team with 19 total points to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Sydney Peterson added 16 points and Grace Brady totaled 12 on the night on 6-of-10 shooting. CSUSM's Emma Forel led all scorers with 23 points as well as grabbing 14 rebounds.

Team Records
PLNU (0-5), CSUSM (3-1) 

Thoughts from Coach Faulkner
On converting steals into points: "When we were aggressive, played with our hands up, we did get some steals and got some opportunities in transition. We mixed defenses a little bit today and that gave us some energy, but we got down 18 and had to do that unfortunately. We did make some plays, but it was out of necessity."

On the early fourth quarter surge: "We defended. We got some stops, some steals, we didn't let 12 or 23 bury us in the paint. That allowed us to get back into the game. That's our message to the team, when we defend and rebound we are solid."

On getting good offense in the paint: "That is huge for us. We talk about ball movement, being on attack, getting into the paint with our guards, and that is our offense. We aren't quite there yet with being able to trust everybody to make the right play. We are a team that is capable of scoring a lot more and we will get there."

On getting ready for conference play: "I expect us to get better everyday, and I think we are. We have been practicing really well, and we have gotten better every game. We have to continue to trust the process and hopefully we break through." 

News and Notes
> Liggins' 19 points were a season-high, and she is the only Sea Lion who has scored in double figures in every game this season.
> Point Loma went 10-of-21 from the free throw line, notching their second lowest percentage of the season.
> The team shot .424 from the field, which was their best mark of the season, finishing with a season-high 64 points.
> The Sea Lions outscored the Cougars in the paint, 38-34. 
> The team totaled 11 steals on the night leading to 17 points off of turnovers. 

Up Next
The Sea Lions have a nine-day break before heading to the Bay Area to open conference play on November 29 at Academy of Art.