AZUSA, Calif. – The Point Loma men's basketball team saw its four-game winning streak to open PacWest play snapped by Azusa Pacific, 79-62, on Saturday, Dec. 21.
The game was back-and-forth throughout the first half with APU leading just 32-28 at halftime. PLNU scored the first four points of the second half and tied the game at 32-32 on a free throw by
Sterling Somers, but they were unable to ever take the lead. Azusa Pacific answered PLNU's 4-0 spurt with a 19-5 run to push their advantage to double-figures (51-37). The Sea Lions continued to battle and cut the deficit to seven (59-52) with 7:59 remaining, however, APU responded by making its final five 3-point attempts to seal the win.
Point Loma was unable to stop the Cougars' Selom Mawugbe, who was a dominant force in the middle all game on both sides of the ball. The reigning PacWest Defensive Player of the Year went 7-of-7 from the field en route to recording a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds (seven offensive). On defense, he added six blocks and two steals. Mawugbe was one of four student-athletes to score in double-figures for APU. Jake Spurgeon led the team with 18 points.
Jordan May had 19 points (8-of-15) to pace the Sea Lions.
Brock Mackenzie and
Sterling Somers each posted 12 points and
Darnell Robateau added 10 rebounds. Point Loma shot just 4-of-20 from 3-point range and did not hit its first shot from behind the arc until nearly four minutes into the second half.
Team Records
Point Loma (8-3, 4-1 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (9-3, 4-2 PacWest)
PacWest Implications
With the loss, PLNU drops out of the ranks of the unbeaten in the PacWest. Concordia is the only remaining team that is perfect in PacWest play (3-0). The Sea Lions are now 4-1 and are tied for second place with Biola. The win moves APU to 4-2 and into fifth place in the PacWest.
Words from coach Matt Logie and the student-athletes
On Azusa Pacific: "You have to credit APU today. They did a very nice job playing within themselves and sharing the basketball. We weren't able to take away the 3-point line in the second half like we had hoped. We just never got going on the offensive side of the ball, and their defense had a lot to do with that."
On Mawugbe's performance: "He is so athletic on the offensive glass and around the rim defensively. He really forces you to invert your offense and we didn't have our best day from the 3-point line. Against a team like APU you have to make your shots because what you are able to get around the rim is so limited."
More on today's game: "I thought today's game came down to make or miss. We contested a few of their shots really well, but they have length and they got the shots off quickly. They went in for them. Sometimes that is how basketball is, and you just tip your hat."
On the upcoming holiday break: "This is a good opportunity for our guys to spend time at home with family and recharge their batteries for the stretch run of conference play. When we get back we will work on building our rhythm and our identity, before we get ready for our road trip to Hawaii."
News and Notes
> APU outscored PLNU by 30 points from beyond the arc
>
Jordan May hit Point Loma's first 3-pointer at the 16:25 mark in the second half
> The 62 points are a season-low (previously 63 points at UC San Diego)
> The Sea Lions have been outrebounded in all three of its losses
> Point Loma never led after the 10:43 mark in the first half (17-15)
Up Next
PLNU will be on a competition break during the holidays. The Sea Lions' next game will be Jan. 4 at Hawaii Hilo.
