SAN DIEGO – Cara Liggins scored a career-high 27 points and notched her team-leading seventh double-double to help lead Point Loma over Dominican 82-74. While Liggins filled up the stat sheet, it was a full team effort to hand the Penguins their second conference loss, and only their third loss of the season. Reigning PacWest Player of the Year, Natalie Diaz, did her best to keep the Penguins competitive, but her 24 points were not enough to keep the Sea Lions at bay.
 
The teams traded buckets early in a fast-paced first quarter, but a 9-3 run from PLNU gave them the 26-18 lead after one quarter of play. The Sea Lions found another quick basket to push their lead to double-digits to open the second quarter but the Penguins found a run of their own, scoring 20-straight points and flipping the lead to nine-points in their favor. Point Loma was able to find scoring late in the quarter but trailed 44-39 at the half.
 
Despite the rough second quarter, the Sea Lions came out energized and ready to compete in the second half and opened the third quarter on a 13-0 run. While Dominican found a way to get back into the game, Point Loma had the three-point advantage heading into the final quarter of play. The fourth quarter was a battle and the Penguins found a way to take a two-point lead with just four minutes left in the game. Carol Schroeder responded with a layup and a three on consecutive possessions to put the Sea Lions back in front, and Liggins secured the win with a huge defensive play and making her free throws down the stretch.
 
Four Sea Lions scored in double figures, Liggins totaled 27 points as well as 13 rebounds. Schroeder and Grace Brady each added 15 points for PLNU with Schroeder grabbing five boards and Brady totaling four blocks on the night. Sydney Peterson put up a solid line with 12 points, eight boards, and four assists.
 
Team Records
PLNU (9-10, 8-5 PacWest), DUC (13-3, 10-2 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
With the win the Sea Lions draw within a half game of fourth-place, just behind FPU who dropped a close game at APU. The Penguins drop into third place, giving Hawaii Pacific sole possession of second.
 
Turning Point
Point Loma started the third quarter with a 13-0 run, giving them an eight-point lead and shifted the momentum in their favor.
 
Coach and Player Interview
 

News and Notes
> Liggins shot 9-of-11 (81.8%) from the field and 5-of-6 (83.3%) from three in the game, she made her first five three-point attempts.
> Brady now has five-straight games totaling three or more blocks. 
> As a team, Point Loma shot 51.8 percent from the field, 45.8 percent from three, and 92.9 percent from the free-throw line. 
> Brady, Liggins, and Schroeder each shot 50 percent or better from the field. 
> Peterson has hit 38 of her last 40 free throws. 
> Point Loma held Diaz to 24 points after giving up 37 points to her in their first meeting in San Rafael. 

Up Next
Point Loma will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. when they host Academy of Art in Golden Gym.