SAN DIEGO – The No. 24 ranked Point Loma men's basketball team went up by as many as 19 points in the second half and then had to hold on to defeat Holy Names, 80-74, on Saturday, Dec. 29.
 
Daulton Hommes had 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead four Sea Lions in double figures. Preston Beverly notched 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Josh Rodriguez (11) and Ziggy Satterthwaite (12) also reached double figures. Sterling Somers came off the bench to pace PLNU with eight rebounds.
 
After a low scoring first half, which PLNU led 33-23 at the break, both teams found their rhythm offensively in the second half. The Sea Lions used a 14-6 run in the middle of the period to take a 61-42 lead with 9:06 remaining. They would see that lead dwindle from that time until HNU cut the Sea Lions' advantage down to eight points with 00:39 remaining and to five in the final seconds of the game. The Sea Lions' veterans then stepped up, and Point Loma was able to hold off the furious late-game charge by going 8-of-9 from the free throw line in the final minute of the game.
 
Holy Names finished the second half with 51 points and shooting .600 percent from the field. Kyvonte Davis (10-of-12 shooting) led HNU with 22 points. Alonzo Taylor chipped in with 20.

Team Records
Point Loma (10-2, 6-0 PacWest), Holy Names (4-8, 3-4 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win keeps Point Loma tied with Concordia atop the PacWest standings at 6-0. Chaminade is also perfect in PacWest play at 4-0. The loss drops Holy Names to fifth place in the PacWest at 3-4.
 
The Turning Point
While it looked like the Sea Lions' 19-point lead in the second half was going to be enough to earn this team the win, it was the free throw shooting down the stretch that was the difference between victory and defeat. While Holy Names was on its furious comeback, PLNU took care of business at the free throw line to maintain the lead and ultimately earn to the victory.  

Words from coach Looney and the student-athletes


News and Notes
> The Sea Lions' 6-0 start in PacWest play continues to be the best in school history
> PLNU has never lost to Holy Names in PacWest play (8-0)
> The Sea Lions are now 11-3 all-time against the Hawks
> PLNU is 8-1 this season when scoring 70 or more points
> With two more steals tonight, Rodriguez moved within seven steals of PLNU's all-time record (182, Brett Psilopoulos)

Up Next
The Point Loma men's basketball team will be back in action on Monday, Dec. 31 against Notre Dame de Namur at 4 p.m.