HONOLULU – Darnell Robateau scored 19 points and Ben Okhotin added 14 off the bench to lead the Point Loma men's basketball team to a 64-50 win at Hawaii Pacific. (Jan. 6)
 
Robateau scored his most points since the season opener. The sophomore point guard hit three 3-pointers and was a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line, while also leading the Sea Lions with eight rebounds. He scored 12 of his 19 points in the second half as PLNU expanded upon its five-point halftime lead (31-26). Okhotin provided the early spark for the Sea Lions as he scored eight points and recorded a block in his first four minutes on the court. He would finish the game with four 3-pointers, two blocks, and two steals. Neema Namdar and Jacob Foy paced HPU with 14 points apiece.
 
The Sea Lions never trailed in the game. They jumped out to a 7-0 lead and led by as many as 15 (24-9) with 8:26 left in the first half. The Sharks battled back and cut PLNU's lead to 31-26 at the half. Hawaii Pacific kept fighting and got it down to a single basket at multiple points in the second half, but the Sea Lions always had the answer.
 
It looked like momentum might be swinging the Sharks' way as they hit a layup with 6:42 remaining to make it 51-48, but Point Loma answered on both sides of the ball. First Sterling Somers made a tough layup in the block and Brock Mackenzie followed it up with a steal and a score. The Sea Lions would hold HPU to just two points in the final six minutes to secure their second straight win.
 
PLNU limited Hawaii Pacific to just .317 percent shooting and allowed the Sharks to get to the free throw line just six times (three made).
 
Team Records
Point Loma (10-3, 6-1 PacWest), Hawaii Pacific (4-9, 2-5 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win lets PLNU keep pace near the top of the PacWest standings. Point Loma currently only trails Concordia (5-0 PacWest) in the standings (based on percentage points). The loss drops Hawaii Pacific to 2-5 in PacWest play.
 
Words from coach Matt Logie
On how the Sea Lions opened and closed the game: "The story of the game was how we started and finished the game defensively. We were really able to build some momentum and a lead early, and then down the stretch, we held them to just two points in final six minutes to help us separate. That was very important against a team like Hawaii Pacific that shoots the ball so well from 3-point range."
 
On Darnell Robateau's performance: "Darnell played terrific tonight. He was exactly what we needed tonight and we talked a lot about playing with poise. That really speaks to Darnell as a point guard. He takes good care of the ball and is sometimes the guy that sets others up. He can often have a quiet impact on a game but he is always very capable of nights like tonight. He made some big shots tonight and rebounded the ball very well. He really gave us a great performance."
 
On winning an 'ugly' game: "We've talked all year about how important it is to win with our defense. To win games on the road, you have to be able to stop people when the ball isn't going down. We had moments tonight when our offense was really good, but other times we were stagnant and didn't take care of the ball. Overall our guys settled down and we were able to execute and make some big shots."
 
On closing out the trip at Chaminade: "We have to stick to our process of preparation. We have taken it one game at a time this whole week. Chaminade is a good team and a good program, and we have to go about the process of winning one day at a time."
 
News and Notes
> The 64 points were the lowest total scored in a win this season
> PLNU is 5-0 in games where it hits five or more 3-pointers
> Point Loma is 7-0 when Robateau scores in double-figures
> PLNU has won the last four games against HPU after previously dropping five straight
> This was the fourth time this season PLNU has held an opponent to 59 points or less (4-0)

Up Next
PLNU will close out its road trip against Chaminade (6-5, 4-2 PacWest) on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 9:30 p.m. (PST)