SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Point Loma faced their biggest challenge of the season on Thursday night as they put their 12-game win streak on the line in the first round of the PacWest Championships. The Sea Lions faced a familiar foe in Fresno Pacific, having faced the Sunbirds less than two weeks prior to tonight's contest. Point Loma got out to the early lead and held a nine-point advantage after one quarter of play and they would never trail, earning the 85-74 win.
 
Point Loma would lead by as many as 18 points in the second quarter but the Sunbirds stormed back to cut the lead to 13 heading into the half. Fresno Pacific came out hot after the break as well, cutting the PLNU lead to as few as six points just two minutes into the half. With Liggins in foul trouble, freshman Haylee Saurette stepped up and played big minutes for Point Loma and was able to hit a three and grab huge boards for the Sea Lions. Isabel Turk had a huge third quarter for PLNU, hitting two huge threes to help extend their lead.
 
FPU senior Bree Alvarez left everything on the court as she fought for her season and career; she hit two huge threes in the fourth and scored 12 of her team's 22 fourth quarter points. The Sea Lions were able to match any run by the Sunbirds and made enough free throws down the stretch to keep a comeback at bay.
 
Sydney Peterson led the Sea Lions with 19 points as well as five rebounds and two steals. Despite her foul trouble, Cara Liggins put up 17 points to go along with six boards and two assists. Saurette scored 13 for the Sea Lions and Carol Schroeder had 11 point to round out the top scorers for Point Loma. Alvarez led the Sunbirds with 24 points, three rebounds and two assists.
 
Team Records
PLNU (19-10, 17-5 PacWest), FPU (19-12, 15-7 PacWest)
 
PacWest and Regional Implications
The win earns the Sea Lions a place in the PacWest semifinals in a rematch of last year's semifinal game which saw Point Loma upset the APU Cougars. It also puts the Sea Lions one step closer to earning an automatic bid into the regional tournament should they clinch the PacWest tournament championship.

Turning Point
Bree Alvarez cut the Sea Lion lead to four points with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Over the next four minutes of play the teams traded buckets with the Sea Lions always finding an answer for a Sunbird run. With just two minutes left in the game, Cara Liggins hit a dagger three to push the PLNU lead back to double digits and help secure the win for Point Loma.
 
Coach and Player Interview


News and Notes
> Liggins scored 17 points in just 20 minutes of action. 
> The Sea Lions outrebounded the Sunbirds 52-40, including 18-12 on the offensive boards. 
> Turk went 3-for-3 from three point range on the night, matching a career-high nine points. 
> Point Loma's bench outscored FPU 26-4. 
> Peterson's 19 points were a Pacwest tournament best for the sophomore. 

Up Next
Point Loma will face Azusa Pacific in the PacWest semifinals, looking to upset the favorite for the second year in a row. Game tips at 7:15 p.m., be sure to follow along at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/pacwest/.