OAKLAND, Calif. - The trio of Kaden Anderson, Sterling Somers, and Ben Okhotin combined for 74 points, but, it was a big shot from Brock Mackenzie with 3.2 seconds left that lifted the Point Loma men's basketball team to an 87-85 win at Holy Names in the regular season finale. (Feb. 29)
 
With the game tied at 85-85 following a free throw by the Hawks with 11 seconds remaining, Mackenzie pushed the ball up the right side of the court and found Okhotin in the corner for a 3-point attempt. Okhotin's shot was off the mark but it caromed high out towards the right wing. Mackenzie rushed towards it and in one motion he snagged the ball out of the air and put up a soft shot that sailed through the net for the go-ahead basket. HNU would get a shot off from half court as time expired but it sailed long.
 
This capped off a competitive game, which saw the teams exchange leads throughout the second half. PLNU was ahead 43-36 at halftime, but HNU fought back and tied the game at 45-45. Point Loma would not surrender its lead until Zamaria Odom hit a 3-pointer with 3:21 remaining to give the Hawks an 80-78 lead. Anderson gave the lead back to PLNU with layups on the next two possessions.
 
The teams continued to exchange baskets until HNU got an 84-83 lead with 1:12 remaining. Point Loma answered by posting up Somers who delivered in the paint once again to give the Sea Lions back the lead (85-84). Holy Names' Anthony Dennis would get fouled on the ensuing possession, but he hit just one of two free throws to open the door for Mackenzie to come through with his second last-second, game-winning shot of the season.
 
Ben Okhotin led PLNU with a career-high 28 points. He hit five 3-pointers and added two steals. Kaden Anderson recorded a double-double with 25 points and a season-best 14 rebounds. Sterling Somers went 10-of-11 from the field to post 21 points. Odom led Holy Names with 22 points and five 3-pointers.
 
The Hawks finished the game 15-of-29 from behind the arc and outscored PLNU by 11 points from the free throw line (18-7). The Sea Lions dominated the middle, outscoring HNU 50-20 on points in the paint.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (22-6, 18-4 PacWest), Holy Names (8-20, 6-16 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The Sea Lions close the regular season with a second-place finish in the PacWest standings and the No. 2 seed in the upcoming PacWest Tournament. Holy Names finishes the regular season tied for 10th.
 
Turning Point
The game was in question until Mackenzie hit the putback with 3.2 seconds left.
 
Words from coach Matt Logie
On the frontline trio of Okhotin, Somers and Anderson: " Ben got off to a great start and really carried us in the first half offensively. I was really happy to see him playing inside out and using his size inside in addition to his shooting. Sterling just did what Sterling does and Kaden really responded in the second half when we needed it the most."
 
On the problems Holy Names created: "HNU shot really well from outside tonight which made it harder to contain penetration. Credit to them for playing hard on senior night."
 
On PLNU heading into the PacWest Tournament: " First off, I'm really proud of this group for the way they've overcome adversity in the last 10 months. Losing five starters and the National Player of the Year and then adapting to a new coaching staff is a significant challenge. Our old guys and new guys have really come together in the midst of all that, and to win 22 games in the regular season and finish second in the Pac West is a testament to our senior, Sterling Somers, and how much he cares for the program and how much we want to fight for his senior year. That is the attitude we will take into the PacWest Tournament."
 
News and Notes
> Point Loma has won 11 straight games over Holy Names
> PLNU has finished top 3 in the PacWest standings each of the past three years
> The Sea Lions are now 18-1 when scoring 73 or more points
> Kaden Anderson leads PLNU with seven double-doubles

Up Next
PLNU will then await their turn in the PacWest Tournament. The Sea Lions will play on Friday, Mar. 6 at 5 p.m., as a result of their first-round bye. They will play the winner of the game between Chaminade and the Academy of Art.