SAN DIEGO – The Point Loma women's basketball team battled through foul trouble and tied the game with a run late in the fourth quarter, unfortunately, it was No. 25 Azusa Pacific that had the final run of the game to win  63-56. (Feb. 5)
 
The Sea Lions were in for a challenge against the No. 25 team in the country from the beginning, but even more so after leading scorer Onjalise Carley-Hilliard was called for her third foul midway through the first quarter. This allowed APU to take a 21-12 lead at the end of the quarter and a 35-27 lead into halftime. In the fourth quarter, Point Loma found itself down 53-41 with 5:34 remaining.
 
Over the next three minutes, Point Loma would outscore APU 12-0 to tie the game at 53-53 with just under three minutes left. The Cougars answered PLNU's run with an 8-0 run of their own to take a 61-53 lead with 34 seconds on the clock. Three free throws by Isabel Turk would break the run and cut it to five but the Sea Lions were unable to connect on any more baskets down the stretch to make it any closer.
 
Cara Liggins finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. She added four steals and two blocks. Isabel Turk also joined Liggins in double-figures with a career-high 15 points, which included going 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Cierra Roufosse recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds to pace APU in both categories.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (13-8, 9-6 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (17-3, 11-3 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
Even with the result of the game, neither team will move in the PacWest standings. APU remains in second place and Point Loma is still in fifth.
 
The Turning Point
While the Sea Lions could have lost this one early after shooting just 2-of-20 in the first quarter, they battled and tied it late in the fourth quarter, but they did not have the final push to overcome the late run by the Cougars.
 
Words from the student-athletes

News and Notes
> PLNU and APU split the regular season series with each winning on the other team's home court
> Turk's previous career-high was 13 points, which she posted twice this season
> Carley-Hilliard's second foul was an offensive foul, and she was given a technical foul on the play to take her from one to three fouls
> While both teams had 17 turnovers, APU outscored PLNU 17-5 in points off turnovers
> Point Loma finished the game shooting just .202 percent from the field
> APU came into the game averaging 77.5 ppg
 
Next Game
Point Loma will continue its six-game homestand on Monday, Feb. 10 against Chaminade. The game will tip at 5:30 p.m.