SAN DIEGO – Point Loma has their sights set on making the postseason. After losing their top two scorers on the season it seemed that their season may be over, with a few surprising losses supporting that notion, but the performances over their last four games have left people with no choice but to see the potential this young team has. In four of their last six contests they have held opponents under 65 points and in this latest performance they put up 92 points on the way to a 16-point victory over the Argonauts of Notre Dame de Namur. Though they gave up 76 points in this contest, the Sea Lions found ways to get the ball in the basket and keep NDNU at bay. 

Halfway through the first quarter Point Loma held just a 14-13 lead but a combination of great shot selection and getting to the foul line allowed PLNU to push their lead to 33-17 by the end of the quarter. The team struggled with turnovers in the second quarter and allowed the Argonauts to get some easy looks that trimmed Point Loma's lead to 43-36 heading into the half. NDNU would cut the lead to one on two occasions in the third quarter but the Sea Lions were able to answer with a basket of their own to prevent the Argonauts from getting too much momentum. 

Roya Rustamzada contributed in every way possible to help her team win, despite fouling out with two minutes left in the game. She earned her 14th double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds while adding eight assists, nearing a second triple-double on the season. Cara Liggins scored a team-high 20 points while going 4-of-6 from three point range. Sydney Peterson had another solid performance scoring 18 points to go along with a career-high seven rebounds, she also tallied two assists and two steals. 

Team Records
Point Loma (14-9, 9-7 PacWest), Notre Dame de Namur (9-14, 6-9 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The Sea Lions have now won their last four contests and have positioned themselves to have a great shot at getting into postseason play, they currently sit one place out qualifying for the conference tournament. The Argonauts may have seen their postseason hopes slip through their fingers with this loss as they drop to 6-9 in PacWest play, three spots out of postseason contention.
 
The Turning Point
After letting their early lead slip away in the second and third quarters the Sea Lions closed out the game on a 15-5 run while going 13-of-16 at the free throw line to prevent the Argonauts from getting back into the game. 

Thoughts from Coach Faulkner
On trying to hold on to the early lead: "We moved the ball really well in the first quarter and it led to 33 points. I think that we got a little tired today and that slowed us down in the second quarter. I am still waiting for us to put a full four quarters together, but we are playing good basketball overall right now. But today, it was good that we got out to that big lead because we needed it and we were able to hang on."

On the all-around team effort: "It was a great team effort. With all of the adversity we have had this year with injuries and foul trouble, those situations have put all of our players in a position where they had to contribute. Carly was only in for a minute today, but it was a big minute that we needed from her, Izzy came in and hit a big three, Yuendie has stepped up and given us good bench minutes, and Carol always brings us really good energy. Everybody has been able to contribute and today we needed it."

On the development of the freshman guards through the season: "From the beginning I have put them in a position to start and play significant minutes. They came in as very mature, smart basketball players and they have evolved a lot through the course of the season. We have seen the same thing in all of our young players, who have gotten better throughout the season which has been fun to see."

On finishing the home stand against Holy Names: "We are going to have to come out and have a lot of energy. We need to keep defending, keep rebounding, make sure we are moving the ball on offense. I know that when we move the ball well we can get great looks. We are excited to play one more home game this week and hopefully we can come out of this home stand with three straight wins."

News and Notes
> PLNU had some great contributions from their bench players in this game, Carol Schroeder scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, Yuendie Guridi had six points and three steals. 
> The teams combined to commit 19 fouls in the first quarter alone. 
> The teams shot a combined 63 free throws, NDNU made 22 of their attempts while PLNU made 25 of theirs.
> Grace Brady tallied four blocks in the game to give her 63 on the season, which already puts her in the top ten all-time for blocks in a season, she currently in ninth.
> The Sea Lions shot 50 percent both from the field and from long range. 
> NDNU had four players foul out of the game. 

Up Next
Point Loma finishes their three-game home stand on Wednesday when they host the Hawks of Holy Names University. The women tip-off at 5:30 p.m. with the men's game following at approximately 7:30 p.m.