SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma men's basketball team matched a season-high by knocking down 13 3-pointers as it rolled to an 86-55 win over Academy of Art on Saturday, Feb. 3.
 
Skyler White led the long range attack, hitting 4-of-5 shots from behind the arc. He finished the game with 15 points (5-of-6), six rebounds and two blocks. Preston Beverly led all scorers with 24 points. He got in on the action from behind the arc as he hit two 3-pointers. He also was a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line. Tanner Nelson added three more treys en route to his 11 points, and Ziggy Satterthwaite also reached double-figures with 14 points. Only two ARTU student-athletes reached double-figures. Uchenna Okeneme led the way with 14 points.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (17-7, 11-4 PacWest), Academy of Art (9-12, 8-7 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win lifts Point Loma to 11-4 in the conference and two games back of PacWest-leaders Dixie State. PLNU is currently in fourth place, just percentage points behind California Baptist (9-3) for third. The loss puts ARTU at 8-7. The Urban Knights hold the sixth and final spot for the PacWest Championships.
 
The Turning Point
PLNU almost could not have played a better first half. The Sea Lions shot 59 percent from the field, scoring 47 points and hitting seven 3-pointers. Meanwhile, their defense held the Urban Knights to 29 percent shooting (7-of-24) as PLNU took a 47-22 lead into halftime and ARTU never got closer than 16 points the rest of the way.
 
Words from Coach Looney
On the first half: "Our team is doing a really good job sharing the ball right now. Our field goal percentage has really gone up the past few games because of (our ability to share the ball)."
 
On hitting 13 3-pointers: "That is what they were willing to give up. Academy of Art did a great job giving help on the post and our guys did a good job skipping the ball to the other side of the floor to find open teammates."
 
On the 40-17 rebounding margin: "That is a huge part of who we are and as the season goes on, our players are getting more and more comfortable with it."
 
On AJ Firey's 3-pointer: "AJ has made a lot of sacrifices for this program. He works hard every day, without a lot of reward on game day, and his teammates recognize that. For him to get a moment like tonight is a both special for him and the entire team."
 
On the remaining games in homestand: "We are trying not to look too far past the moment. We know if we are able to accomplish the goals that we want to as a group but we can't do that if we aren't prepared to win our next game. Right now we aren't thinking but practice tomorrow and preparing to play against Notre Dame de Namur on Monday."
 
News and Notes
> Point Loma is 13-0 when scoring 70 or more points
> This is the sixth time this season PLNU has outrebounded its opponent by 23 or more rebounds
> ARTU had just six assists on 20 made baskets
> The Urban Knights' Kendall Brown was held to five points, 10.8 points below his average
> The 12 made free throws and the 12 free throw attempts by Beverly are both season highs for PLNU
> White's four made 3-pointers matched a season-high for the Sea Lions
> Four times this season PLNU has made 19 or more free throws
 
Up Next
The Point Loma men's basketball team will continue its homestand on Monday, Feb. 5 against Notre Dame de Namur. The game will tip at 7:30 p.m.