SAN DIEGO – Point Loma closed out regular season play with a huge game at home hosting the Concordia Irvine Eagles on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles had everything to play for as a win would earn them the sixth and final seed in the PacWest tournament. The Sea Lions put their 11-game win streak on the line, looking to go into the tournament coming off a win. After getting out to an early lead in the first quarter, Point Loma led wire-to-wire earning the 65-52 victory.
 
The Sea Lions were without starter Carol Schroeder, who has been a huge asset this season. Sophomore, Izzy Turk stepped into a starting role for the first time in her career and got the offense started for PLNU hitting an early three to put the team up 4-0. After grabbing the early lead, the team never looked back despite the efforts of the Eagles. Sydney Peterson nailed an off-balance three at the first quarter buzzer to push their lead to seven through one quarter of play.
 
The Eagles were able to keep pace with Point Loma in the second quarter, but were unable to cut into the lead and still trailed by seven at the half. The Sea Lions opened the third quarter with a 5-0 run, pushing their lead to double digits, but the Eagles responded quickly with a run of their own. Concordia cut the lead to as few as three points in the third quarter, but PLNU closed the quarter with 6-0 run to lead by 10 with just one quarter to play.
 
Point Loma kept their lead in double digits for most of the fourth quarter, and had an answer for each Concordia score. With just under a minute left in the game, senior Carlee Taylor hit a huge three pushing the Sea Lions to their largest lead of the game at 15 points. With the win Point Loma secured their 12^th straight win and are arguably the hottest team coming into the PacWest tournament.
 
Team Records
PLNU (18-10, 17-5 PacWest), CUI (10-17, 9-13 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The Sea Lions are locked in to the No. 4 seed for the tournament and will face Fresno Pacific on Thursday. Despite their loss, the Eagles earn the sixth seed with a loss by NDNU and they will face the Hawaii Pacific Sharks on Thursday in the opening round of the tournament.

Turning Point
Sydney Peterson hit a huge three to close out the first quarter and stretch the Point Loma lead to seven points. While the Eagles made several runs to cut into the lead, they were unable to come any closer than three points.
 
Coach and Player Interview


News and Notes
> Freshman Haylee Saurette totaled nine points and nine rebounds in the game, just missing her first career double-double. 
> Grace Brady's three blocks put her over the century mark for 102 total blocks on the season. 
> In each of the first three quarters Peterson had the ball in her hands to make something happen, she scored in the first and third quarters and just missed an assist before the half as Brady's shot just rolled out of the basket. 
> Once again PLNU held Vanderklugt well under her season average of 15 points, she totaled seven points in their first meeting and five in today's game. 
> This was Liggins' fifth 20-point game. 
> Point Loma ties their most conference wins in a season with 17. The Sea Lions also totaled 17 conference win in the 2016-17 season.

Up Next
The Sea Lions are headed to San Rafael, Calif. next week where they will take on the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds in the first round of the PacWest conference tournament. Tune in for live stats and live video here as Point Loma vies for a return trip to the championship game.