SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Point Loma women's basketball team fought back from an 18-point deficit to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but it could not hold off a late run by Cal State San Marcos as the Sea Lions fell to their cross-county foes, 76-64, in a non-conference game on Thursday, Nov. 14.
 
After an even first quarter, CSUSM went on an 18-0 run in the second quarter, which took it from 20-20 to a 38-22 game. PLNU did hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 38-25 at the half.
 
The Sea Lions whittled the lead down to 10 at the end of the third quarter (51-41). The Cougars hit a 3-pointer to start the fourth, and then the Sea Lions began their comeback. They outscored CSUSM 17-2 over the next 3:32 and took their first lead since the first quarter on 3-pointer by Sydney Peterson with 5:43 remaining. The Cougars would answer her 3-pointer with a 3-pointer of their own on the proceeding possession, which gave them back the lead and some momentum.
 
Cal State San Marcos held PLNU scoreless on its next three trips down the court to push its lead back to seven (65-58). The Sea Lions cut it back to five (67-62) on a layup by Onjalise Carley-Hilliard at 2:31, but they would miss their next four field goal attempts, and CSUSM went 4-for-4 in the final minute to close out the game.
 
Peterson had 15 points to lead four Sea Lions in double-figures. Alix Henderson and Carley-Hilliard each added 13 points, and Carol Schroeder chipped in with 11. Henderson paced the team with eight rebounds. Jon'Nae Vermillion had 23 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Cougars.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (1-2, 0-0 PacWest), Cal State San Marcos (3-0, 1-0 CCAA)
 
Words from coach Faulkner
On what led to the comeback: "It is energy and effort. There is no magical play or magical defense. It is playing collectively and making plays. We got the momentum swung in our direction by defending and getting rebounds and making plays in transition. That led to some easy baskets for us, and that is what really got us back in the game."
 
On Cal State San Marcos: "They came right back on us after we got the lead. That is what good teams do on their home court. Good teams are going to punch back, and we have to find a way to counter. Unfortunately, they more plays down the stretch." 
 
On four student-athletes in double-figures: "We have a lot of talent, and a lot of people that can score the basketball. I have faith in everyone on our team and I have no problem putting anyone in the game. However, we are at our best when we move the ball, setting good screens and not settling for tough, contested shots. It is a process of learning what that looks like, but unfortunately we play such a tough non-conference schedule that we don't get the opportunity to work on these things in-game."
 
More on the Sea Lions: "We will be fine. We have great girls and a lot of talent. We just have to keep getting better and seeing that when we play as a collective unit it works."
 
On the home opener: "We have to play good team basketball and have great energy offensively and defensively. They are another really good regional opponent, but if we play team basketball we have a chance to play every game."

News and Notes
> The two made 3-pointers are the lowest for PLNU since hitting two against Hawaii Hilo in Feb. 17, 2018
> Point Loma had previously won seven straight against Cal State San Marcos dating back to 2012-13
> The two NCAA Division II schools in San Diego County had not met since Dec. 9, 2015

Up Next
The PLNU women's basketball team will return home to play Alaska Fairbanks in its 2019-20 home opener on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.