RIVERSIDE, Calif.  - The Point Loma men's basketball team learned just how hard it can be to defeat a team three times in one season. After taking both games from Concordia during the regular season, for the first time in 15 years, the Sea Lions stumbled in the PacWest Championships, and were eliminated from the tournament by the Eagles, 69-65. (Mar. 1)
 
Point Loma led nearly the entire game and were up 63-61 with 2:28 remaining but CUI answered with a game-tying layup from Geoff Gerlach and a 3-pointer from Tad Dufelmeier to take a three-point lead (66-63). PLNU went into the post on their next possession and Preston Beverly hit a turnaround hook shot to pull Point Loma back within one point (66-65).
 
After another Gerlach layup with 33 seconds left, which put CUI back in front by three (68-65), the Sea Lions went right back to Beverly on the block. He put on the same move against the same defender, but this time the defender let himself fall to the ground, and an offensive foul was called on Beverly giving Concordia back the ball with 00:17 remaining.
 
However, Concordia missed the frontend of their 1-and-1 free throw attempt and PLNU got the ball back on their side of half court with 11 seconds remaining. Coach Ryan looney drew up a 3-point play in the corner for Tanner Nelson, but it was defended very well, and Nelson's shot hit iron as the Sea Lions fell.
 
Beverly had 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting to lead all scorers. He was the only Sea Lion in double-figures. Dufelmeier paced Concordia with 19 points, including four 3-pointers.

Team Records
Point Loma (21-9), Concordia (19-10)
 
PacWest and Regional Implications
The loss eliminates PLNU from the 2018 PacWest Championships. The Sea Lions will now have to wait and see if their season will continue at the NCAA West Regional next weekend (Mar. 8-10). PLNU was No. 5 in the latest NCAA West Regional rankings, which were released on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The Sea Lions are hoping to receive an at-large bid to play in their first-ever NCAA West Regional.

The Turning Point
Dufelmeier's 3-pointer with 1:17 on the clock changed the game. It was the first time the Sea Lions trailed by more than two points and it put the momentum clearly on the Eagles' bench. While PLNU was able to execute their first possession under pressure, it had to take a couple tough shots down the stretch and CUI was able to pull out their first PacWest Championships win.

Coach and Student-Athlete Interview

 
News and Notes
> PLNU lost all four games this season when it either tied or was outrebounded
> Point Loma is 16-0 this season when scoring 70 or more points
> Last season, PLNU made a run to the finals of the PacWest Championships as a No 6 seed
> The Sea Lions made just 3-of-13 3-pointers and 12-of-18 from the free throw line
> Both teams shot over 51 percent in the game (PLNU .556%, CUI .519%)

Next up
PLNU will await the announcement of the NCAA West Regional on Sunday night at 7:30 p.m., to see if their season will continue.