OAKLAND, Calif. - Kaden Anderson matched a career-high with 27 points to lead the Point Loma men's basketball team to an 88-73 win at Academy of Art on Thursday, Feb. 27.
 
Anderson went 11-of-16 from the field and 4-of-4 at the free throw line en route to posting his 27 points. Those 27 points are just one point short of the top-scoring performance for any Sea Lion this season (Mackenzie 28 points vs. NDNU). He also had five rebounds, two blocks and an assist.
 
Brock Mackenzie (18), Ben Okhotin (17) and Sterling Somers (15) joined Anderson in double-figures. Mackenzie went 7-of-12 from the field while hitting four 3-pointers, to account for his 18 points. Okhotin also connected on four shots from long range to post his third-highest scoring output of the season with 17 points. He added a team-leading six rebounds. Somers was once again efficient as he shot 4-of-7 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line to record his fourth-straight game in double-figures. Josh Caston had seven assists in his second start of the season. Josh Hill led five Urban Knights in double-figures with 19 points.
 
The teams exchanged baskets and leads in the first half until the game was tied 39-39 at halftime. At the start of the second half, it looked like it might be a back-and-forth game the rest of the way, but PLNU was able to take advantage of a few missed baskets and turnovers to put together a 10-0 run which gave the Sea Lions a nine-point lead (54-45). Academy of Art would cut the lead down to a two-possession game on multiple occasions but each time PLNU answered with a 9-2 run to maintain their lead. The 15-point final margin of victory was the largest lead for Point Loma all night.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (21-6, 17-4 PacWest), Academy of Art (11-17, 9-12 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
Even with the win, Point Loma remains locked in as the No. 2 seed in the upcoming PacWest Tournament. The loss severely hurt ART U's playoff hopes as they now trail Hawaii Hilo for the sixth and final seed by a half-game. Academy of Art has one game remaining in the regular season and Hawaii Hilo has two.
 
Turning Point
The 10-0 run early in the second half extended the Sea Lions' lead and gave them their first cushion of the second half.
 
Words from coach Matt Logie and the student-athletes
On the defensive effort in the second half: "We tightened up our ball-screen coverage and contained penetration much better, which allowed us to stay close to Milivoivic."
 
On the progression of Kaden Anderson: "Kaden is an extremely talented and versatile player. He can play all over the court and has really stepped up for us all season. The sky is the limit for him as he is a tireless worker and wants to be special."
 
On what the team did to get to the free throw line: "I thought we played the game together and from an inside-out perspective which allowed us to get the ball into good spots on the floor."
 
On what the team needs to do to close out the regular season strong: "Our guys have been fighters all year long and we love our senior, Sterling Somers. We're going to continue fighting for him every time we step on the floor."
 
News and Notes
> The Sea Lions are now 17-1 when scoring 73 or more points
> PLNU has hit 10 or more 3-pointers in a game 14 times this season (13-1)
> Point Loma has won 12 straight games against ART U dating back to Feb. 1, 2014

Up Next
Point Loma will close out the 2019-20 regular season at Holy Names on Saturday, Feb. 29. The game will tip-off at 4 p.m. PLNU will then await their turn in the PacWest Tournament. The Sea Lions will play on Friday, Mar. 6 as a result of their first-round bye.