SAN DIEGO – The Point Loma men's basketball team overcame a poor shooting night, in which it shot .350 percent from the field, to defeat longtime rivals Azusa Pacific, 69-54, on Saturday, Dec. 8.
 
Daulton Hommes' 19 points led four Sea Lions in double figures. Ben Okhotin again provided a spark off the bench as he hit all three of his 3-pointers and scored 13 points. Josh Rodriguez also played one of his most efficient games of the season. He went 5-of-7 from the field, including 2-of-2 from deep, and added three assists and two steals. Preston Beverly added 11 points and nine rebounds. Sterling Somers paced PLNU with 10 boards.
 
Point Loma was able to overcome a stingey Cougars' defense, which allowed just 20 points in the paint all game. The Sea Lions hit six of its first 11 3-point attempts to lead 38-32 at the half. PLNU then opened the first six minutes of the second half on a 15-4 run to extend their lead into double figures. Azusa Pacific would never get closer than 10 points the rest of the game.
 
The Sea Lions also played excellent defense throughout the contest. They held APU to .328 percent shooting, including just 9-of-29 from behind the arc. PLNU also did not give up many easy baskets as it had just seven turnovers and APU did not get a fast-break point all game. No Cougar reached double figures. Noah Bundrant led the team with nine points.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (8-2, 4-0 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (5-6, 2-2 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
With the victory, Point Loma became the first PacWest team to go 4-0 this season. Concordia, which plays Biola later in the day, is still undefeated in PacWest play at 3-0, as well as Chaminade, which is 2-0. Azusa Pacific drops into fifth at 2-2.
 
The Turning Point
The difference in the game was Point Loma's ability to close out the first half and carry that momentum into the second half. PLNU was leading by one point (27-26) with 6:38 left in the first half. The Sea Lions closed out the half on an 11-6 run and then opened the first six minutes of the second half on a 15-4 run. This extended the Sea Lions' lead from one point to 17 and the Cougars would not threaten again.
 
Words from coach Looney and the student-athletes


News and Notes
> The seven turnovers were a season-low, three less than 10 turnovers against Biola
> The Sea Lions have made more free throws than their opponents have attempted in seven of 10 games
> With his two steals tonight, Rodriguez moved within 11 steals of PLNU's all-time record (182, Brett Psilopoulos)
> This was just PLNU's second win over APU in the last eight matchups between the teams

Up Next
The Point Loma men's basketball team will be on a competition next week during finals week. PLNU will continue its season on Monday, Dec. 17 at Fresno Pacific. The game will tip-off at 4:30 p.m.