RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Defense defined the Sea Lions upset win over top-ranked Azusa Pacific on Friday afternoon. Point Loma was able to hold the conference leading scorers to 30.5 percent shooting from the field and 23.3 percent shooting from three-point range. The teams played closely throughout the first half with the lead changing three times in the first two quarters. A huge three from
Sydney Peterson with two minutes left in the first half tied the game and a late free throw gave the Sea Lions a one-point lead heading into the half.
The third quarter was the game changer for PLNU. After allowing the Cougars to open up the quarter on a 13-8 run, taking a four-point lead with just under five minutes to play in the quarter. Point Loma went on a 17-5 run over the last five minutes pushing their lead to as much as nine.
Cara Liggins hit four huge free throws at the end of the quarter to help maintain Point Loma's lead. The Cougars were able to cut the lead to four with two minutes remaining in the game but a huge drive to the basket by
Roya Rustamzada pushed lead back to six and would give PLNU the momentum they needed to close out the game.
Cara Liggins had a huge game for the Sea Lions, collecting her second-career double-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Sydney Peterson led the Sea Lions with 18 points to go along with four rebounds and two assists.
Roya Rustamzada collected her 1,000
th career rebounds just five minutes into the first quarter and ended the game with 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Team Records
Point Loma (19-10, 12-8 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (27-4, 18-2 PacWest)
PacWest and Regional Implications
Point Loma is headed to the conference championship game tomorrow to face the Hawaii Pacific Sharks at 2 p.m. This win gives a huge boost to the Sea Lions regional resume and a win in tomorrow's championship game would give them an automatic bid into the tournament.
The Turning Point
Late in the third quarter Peterson and Liggins hit back-to-back three-pointers in the midst of PLNU's 17-5 run to give the team a five-point lead with two minutes left to play in the quarter. The Sea Lions would push their lead to eight by the end of the quarter and had the momentum for the rest of the game.
Coach and Player Interview
News and Notes
> The Cougars averaged 82 points on the season, the Sea Lions held them to 68.
> Point Loma outscored APU by 12 points at the free-throw line.
>
Grace Brady scored 13 points in only 24 minutes of action.
> This is the second straight season the Sea Lions will play in the conference championship game.
> Rustamzada was an all-tournament performer last season, has already recorded 29 points and 20 rebounds in this tournament.
> PLNU is seeking their first PacWest championship in basketball.
Up Next
The Sea Lions play again tomorrow against HPU for a chance at the conference title, tip-off is at 2 p.m. and will be available for streaming at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/pacwest/
