SAN DIEGO – Hawaii Hilo came into Golden Gym and handed the No. 8 Point Loma men's basketball team its first home PacWest loss of the season, 81-77.
 
The Vulcans played with a greater hunger and intensity than the Sea Lions in the second half to overcome a 13-point deficit. PLNU went up early in the game 36-23 and led 46-40 at the half. UHH continued to chip away at the lead and cut it to two (56-54) with an 8-0 run.
 
The Sea Lions were able to hold off that run and rebuilt their lead to eight points with 8:13 to go, but again the Vulcans had an answer. They went on a 15-5 run to take their first lead since the opening at 71-69. PLNU would tie the game on a pair of Daulton Hommes free throws, but Larry Bush proved to be too tough down the stretch. He scored five straight points, including an and-1 layup with 1:18 left to push the lead to four (76-72).
 
After continuing to exchange baskets, Josh Rodriguez found Preston Beverly open at the at the top of the key for a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left to cut the lead back to two (79-77). PLNU immediately fouled on the next possession, but its hopes of a comeback where nixed when James Griffin knocked down both free throws.
 
Beverly finished with a team-high 20 points. He went 9-of-12 from the field and added seven rebounds. Ziggy Satterthwaite and Daulton Hommes chipped in with 12 and 17 points, respectively. Larry Bush led three Vulcans in double figures with 27 points. He went 11-of-16 from the field and 4-of-5 at the free throw line.
 
Hawaii Hilo's biggest advantage in the contest was its ability to protect the ball. The Vulcans had just four turnovers in the entire game, compared to PLNU which turned the ball over 11 times.   
 
Team Records
#8 Point Loma (20-4, 16-2 PacWest), Hawaii Hilo (11-10, 9-8 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
Even with the loss, PLNU remains in first place in the PacWest standings. Point Loma is now 1.5 games up on second-place Concordia. The win was huge for Hawaii Hilo in their pursuit of a PacWest tournament berth. The Vulcans hold a 1.5 game lead over Academy of Art for the final spot.
 
Words from coach Looney
 

News and Notes
> Point Loma was previously 4-0 against Hawaii Hilo under coach Looney
> PLNU continues to lead the all-time series against UHH 9-6
> The 20 points were a season-high for Beverly. He scored 20 or more points in eight games last season
> Josh Rodriguez is just 34 points from moving into the top 10 in PLNU history in points scored
> Rodriguez recently passed Marek Klassen (1,424) and BJ Foster (1,396) to move to No. 11 on the list
> Hommes has scored in double figures in all 24 games this season

Up Next
The Sea Lions will continue their homestand on Saturday, Feb. 16 against No. 22 Chaminade. The game will tip-off at 4 p.m.