[PLNU Tournament Game Notes]

SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma men's basketball team will travel to Riverside, Calif., to compete in the PacWest Championships, hosted by California Baptist, on Mar. 1-3.
 
Season overview
The Sea Lions (21-8) earned the No. 4 seed in the tournament after tie for third place with Azusa Pacific in the PacWest standings at 15-5. PLNU has won 15 of its last 18 games and climbed to No. 5 in the latest NCAA West Region poll (Feb. 28). The Sea Lions also completed the regular season leading the PacWest in scoring defense (64.1 ppg) and the nation in rebounding margin (+12.2).
 
Preston Beverly is leading the Sea Lions in scoring and rebounding. He is averaging 15.1 ppg while shooting .520 percent from the field. He also paces the squad with 7.1 rebounds and seven double-doubles. Ziggy Satterthwaite is shooting .641 percent from the field and is second on the team with 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Josh Rodriguez is second in the PacWest with 5.0 assists per game. He is also third in steals (1.7) all while averaging 10.5 ppg. Tanner Nelson has made a team-leading 56 3-pointers this season. He shoots .418 percent from behind the arc and averages 10.5 ppg. Sterling Somers gives PLNU its fifth double-digit scorer with 10.0 ppg.
 
Season Series vs. Concordia
After not defeating the Eagles in 10 seasons or taking a season series from them in 15 years, the PLNU men's basketball team swept the regular season series from the Eagles. PLNU won at home in overtime 76-68 before going on the road to pick up a 67-50 win.
 
They Said It
Looney on the team's preparation going into the tournament: "We have to be confident in what we have done all year. We know we are capable of playing well against anybody. We just have to find some magic over the course of the next three days."
 
Josh Rodriguez on the challenge of facing Concordia: "They are physical. Their playing style is unlike any other team. They play super physical, deny everything and try to get under your skin. We have to be tough all game long."
 
Skyler White on team's goals for the tournament: "Win. Nothing else. Just win."
 
Regional Implications
Going into the weekend as the No. 5 ranked team guarantees nothing for Point Loma. The Sea Lions still need to win the PacWest Championships or earn an at-large bid to earn one of the eight spots into the NCAA West Regional. The selection show will be on Sunday, Mar. 4 at 7:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.