AZUSA, Calif. – Josh Rodriguez had three steals in No. 24 Point Loma's 86-77 win over Azusa Pacific to tie the Sea Lions' school record with 182 in his career. The four-year starter played big tonight to help PLNU earn its first win at Azusa Pacific since 2014.
 
Rodriguez was one of five Sea Lions in double figures. He went 7-of-8 at the free throw line en route to scoring 15 points. He also had four rebounds, seven assists, and just two turnovers, to go along with three steals.
 
His final steal sealed the victory for Point Loma. With 37 seconds left and the Cougars trailing by just five (82-77), Rodriguez picked off Ben Avera's pass and proceeded to get fouled. He knocked down two free throws to seal the win and match the Sea Lions' best start to a season since opening the 1967-68 campaign at 17-0.
 
Preston Beverly led PLNU with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Ziggy Satterthwaite recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Daulton Hommes added 13 points, and Sterling Somers came off the bench with 12.
 
Selom Mawugbe paced APU with 24 points (8-of-11) and nine rebounds. Darian McClain chipped in with 21 as the duo combined to score 45 of the Cougars' 77 points.

Team Records
Point Loma (13-2, 9-0 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (9-7, 6-3 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win extends Point Loma's lead atop the PacWest standings to 1.5 games over Concordia (7-1 PacWest). The Sea Lions are the only remaining undefeated team in PacWest play (9-0).
 
The Turning Point
Point Loma won the game with its ability to close out the first half and way it opened the second half. After APU cut the Sea Lions' lead to one (33-22) with 3:40 left in the first, Point Loma went on a 9-2 run to lead 42-34 at the break. APU opened the second half with a dunk, but then the Sea Lions rattled off nine straight points to go up 15 (51-36).

Words from coach Looney
On the game plan: "Our guys did a very good job following the game plan. We had some specific things we wanted to do on both ends of the floor. One of them was taking away the 3-point line. I think we did a really good job of it during those stretches."
 
On PLNU's offensive rebounding: "When our bigs are on the perimeter, and APU is playing off them and packing the lane, we thought it would be a good opportunity for those guys to get a running start on all our shot attempts. Ziggy, Sterling, and Preston all did a very good job in that area."
 
On closing down the stretch: "We are doing a good enough job from the free throw line. Not only making a high percentage but we are getting there a ton too what we are learning that as an undefeated team this far into the conference, regardless of who you are playing, you are going to get their best shot the entire game. Our guys are still growing and learning how hard we have to play possession to possession."
 
On scoring of McClain and Mawugbe: "We talked a lot about how Azusa has been doing a lot to try and get those two opportunities. They have been doing that to everyone recently."
 
On Rodriguez's performance: "He has done better in all areas of his life recently. He can always improve, but he is better than he has ever been. He is taking care of the ball and running the team. His shooting percentages are higher than they have ever been, and he got his highest GPA ever in the fall too. He is doing well in a lot of areas."
 
On preparation for Hawaii: "This is perfect for us. Without a lot of practices after Christmas break we played four games really quick, so we are going to take tomorrow off and use the others to get better as we prepare to go to Hawaii."  

News and Notes
> Point Loma moved to the top of the D2SIDA West Region poll in the latest rankings
> This was PLNU's first win at APU since March 4, 2014
> Point Loma has outrebounded its last eight straight opponents, and 13 of 15 opponents this year
> Hommes has scored in double figures in all 15 games this season
> Point Loma has made as many free throws as its opponent has attempted in 12 games (12-0)
> PLNU outscored APU 17-5 on second chance points
> Both teams shot .509 percent from the field
> The Sea Lions have reached the 80-point plateau in seven of 15 games
> Rodriguez is now tied with moved within Brett Psilopoulos atop the Point Loma record books with 182 career steals

Up Next
The Point Loma men's basketball team be on a competition hiatus until traveling to Hawaii Pacific on Jan. 15. The Sea Lions will go to Hawaii to face HPU, Chaminade (Jan. 17) and Hawaii Hilo (Jan. 19).