FRESNO, Calif. – Cara Liggins scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds but it was not enough as the Point Loma women's basketball team fell on the road at Fresno Pacific, 70-61, on Saturday, Jan. 25.
 
Liggins' sixth point of the game, which came on a layup at the beginning of the second quarter, was her 1,000th career point.  She is the first Sea Lion to score 1,000 career points since Roya Rustamzada and Alex Bruck each accomplished the feat during the 2016-17 season. Liggins finished this game 7-of-15 from the field, 5-of-8 from 3-point range and 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
 
Unfortunately, for PLNU, Liggins was about only offense the Sea Lions could muster as they shot just .284 percent in the game. Cassie Pisik had 20 points to lead three Sunbirds in double-figures.
 
The game did not start well for Point Loma as FPU scored 13 of the game's first 15 points. PLNU fought back to cut it 26-25 at the half, as they held FPU to just seven points in the second quarter.
 
The Sea Lions would take the lead on a layup by Isabel Turk right after the half, but the Sunbirds answered back and held a 47-42 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Sea Lions would tie the game at 47-47 before FPU went on an 11-1 run in the middle of the quarter. PLNU cut the deficit back to seven with a minute to go but FPU made 5-of-6 free throw down the stretch to hold on for the win.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (12-6, 8-4 PacWest), Fresno Pacific (10-9, 7-6 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The loss drops Point Loma into fifth place in the PacWest standings. They still hold a 1.5 game lead on Fresno Pacific, which is currently in sixth. The top 6 teams in the standings will advance to the PacWest Tournament at the end of the season.
 
The Turning Point
The late 11-1 run by Fresno Pacific not only gave the Sunbirds a double-digit lead with less than five minutes remaining, but it also stymied the Sea Lions' momentum and they could never find their offensive rhythm again.
 
Words from coach Lisa Faulkner and the student-athletes
On PLNU's shooting struggles: "We got a lot of good shots and just missed. The game then comes down to if you can make other plays when you are not at your best. Ultimately, they made more plays than we did. It was one of those games that you have to find another way (to win)."
 
On Cara Liggins: "She was part of my first recruiting class. She has been so stable and so tough. Any time we have some adversity, I know I can lean on her. We have a lot of season left and she will lead us along the way. She is one of our rocks. She did her part again today, we just didn't have enough around her."
 
On upcoming Biola game: "We just have to bring energy every game, especially defensively. It all starts on that side of the court. On the other side, we just need to get our legs under us and make some open shots."
 
News and Notes
> PLNU had just eight turnovers
> Carol Schroeder and Onjalise Carley-Hilliard each fouled out
> Munirih Peace set a career-high with 10 rebounds
> This was a season-low shooting percentage for the Sea Lions
 
Next Game
Point Loma will continue its road trip against Biola on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The game will tip at 5:30 p.m.