SAN DIEGO – Sterling Somers scored nine of the Sea Lions' 10 points down the stretch, and Darnell Robateau fell one assist short of a triple-double, as the Point Loma men's basketball team came from behind in the final minutes to defeat Concordia, 81-79, and take over sole possession of first place in the PacWest standings.
 
Somers scored nine of his 23 points in the final 4:38 to help fuel the comeback effort. With PLNU down 74-71 and under five minutes on the clock, Somers knocked down a game-tying 3-pointer off an offensive rebound from Noah Stapes. He then gave PLNU its first lead (76-74) since early in the second half with a jumper in the lane. Concordia's Robert McCoy would answer with an and-1 layup to put the Eagles back up one (77-76) with 1:21 remaining.
 
After a timeout by the Eagles, coach Logie drew up a play for Somers. The Sea Lions isolated him on the block and Somers beat two defenders for the go-ahead basket with a layup over the front of the rim. Following a turnover by CUI and a free throw by Robateau, the Eagles had another chance to tie the game, but Robateau was able to get a steal and Somers knocked down two free throws to seal the victory.
 
Somers finished the game 9-of-14 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. He also pulled down six rebounds. Robateau had 10 points and 13 rebounds to go along with nine assists. The 13 rebounds and nine assists are both career-highs. Kaden Anderson also had 23 points for the Sea Lions. He went 10-of-14 from the field and grabbed six offensive rebounds, before fouling out with 3:55 remaining. McCoy scored a game-high 25 points for Concordia.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (13-3, 9-1 PacWest), Concordia (13-5, 7-2 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win gives PLNU sole possession of first place in the PacWest standings. The Sea Lions are still the only team with only one loss in conference play. The loss sends Concordia to 7-2 and into third place in the PacWest.
 
Turning Point
It was the Sea Lions' ability to close out down that stretch that earned them the win. Somer's go-ahead basket, followed by consecutive stops on the defensive end, helped PLNU overcome a deficit with less than a minute remaining, and pick up its fifth-straight win.
 
Words from coach Matt Logie and the student-athletes

 
News and Notes
> Point Loma won the rebounding battle 39-29 and committed fewer turnovers (11-10)
> PLNU outscored them in the paint 50-22
> The Sea Lions are 29-3 in the past two seasons in PacWest play
> The game featured 12 ties and 17 lead changes
> Concordia outscored PLNU by 18 points from 3-point range

Up Next
Point Loma will close out its three-game homestand against Dominican on Thursday, Jan. 23. The game will tip-off at 7:30 p.m.