AZUSA, Calif. – The Point Loma women's basketball team went on the road and took down PacWest-preseason favorites and No. 17 Azusa Pacific, 82-77, to extend their winning streak to eight games, including five straight to open conference play.
 
Onjalise Carley-Hilliard led five Sea Lions in double-figures with 21 points (6-of-12 field goals, 7-of-9 free throws) and nine rebounds. Haylee Saurette came up big for PLNU off the bench with 15 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range and 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Point Loma also got 14 points from Cara Liggins, 12 from Carol Schroeder and 10 from Sydney Peterson.
 
Things did not start ideal for the Sea Lions as they fell behind by nine (16-7) early in the game. PLNU would put together a critical 6-0 run in the final minute to make it 20-19 at the end of the first quarter. Point Loma capitalized on that momentum and extend the run to 16-5 to take its first lead of the game at on a layup by Saurette with 7:13 remaining. The teams traded baskets the rest of the way with PLNU take a 41-40 lead into the locker room.
 
The third quarter was the same, with the lead flip-flopping between the teams. It was not until a three-minute stretch late in the fourth quarter that the Sea Lions would get the run they needed to carry them to the impressive road win. After APU tied the score at 71-71, PLNU went on a 9-0 run. Layups by Liggins and Schroeder bookend the run, and in the middle PLNU hit five shots from the charity stripe. A free throw by APU's Daylee Hanson would end the run with 2:29 remaining but Cougars were unable to answer and the Sea Lions secured their first win at Azusa since 2015.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (9-2, 5-0 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (9-3, 3-3 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
With the win, PLNU takes back over sole possession of first place from Hawaii Pacific (4-0 PacWest). Both teams, along with Concordia (3-0), are undefeated in conference play, however, the Sea Lions now hold a half-game lead on the Sharks with the victory. Neither HPU or Concordia will play again until Jan. 2, and the Sea Lions will return to action on Jan. 4. The loss drops APU to sixth place.
 
Words from coach Lisa Faulkner and the student-athletes
On the win: "That was a really big win on the road against one of the top teams in the conference. I'm really proud of our execution down the stretch and way we executed the gameplay throughout the contest."
 
On closing out defensively down the stretch: "We talk about contesting without fouling and we did a good job forcing them to take tough perimeter shots. They were looking to post up Hanson but we got preventative and had good ball pressure."
 
On how the Sea Lions scored 82 points against a team that allows 60.9 ppg: "We attacked them. Part of our game plan was to attack them, make them be good one-on-one defenders and get to the foul line. We were able to shoot over 30 free throws in that game by attacking and putting pressure on them. If we can do that, and work our inside-outside game consistently, we can be very hard to guard."
 
On the team going into the break with the win: "It feels great. Everyone has to go into break regardless, so for us to be 9-2, and 5-0 in the PacWest, makes me think we are on the right path for sure. I'm excited to see where the season goes. We will get our bodies and minds refreshed, and be ready to come back after the break."  
 
News and Notes
> The 21 points are a Sea Lion career-high for Carley-Hilliard, who has now scored in double-figures in all 11 games this season
> Carley-Hilliard has shot .500 percent or better in nine straight games and is now leading the PacWest with a .556 field goal percentage
> Saurette is shooting 7-of-10 from 3-point range in her last three games
> Point Loma outscored Azusa Pacific by 10 at the free throw line
> The Sea Lions had lost four straight at APU since winning on Jan. 21, 2015
> PLNU is 9-0 when it outrebounds its opponent, and APU is now 1-3 when losing the rebounding battle
 
Next Game
PLNU will be on a competition break during the holidays. The Sea Lions' next game will be Jan. 4 at Hawaii Hilo.