LA MIRADA - Madison Corder delivered the go-ahead layup with 13 seconds on the clock and the Point Loma women's basketball team escaped Biola with a 94-91 victory.
 
The Sea Lions led the entire game until a late run by the Eagles gave them the lead with 1:35 remaining in the fourth quarter, forcing PLNU to rally for the comeback. Point Loma opened the game with great offensive rhythm to build a 27-12 advantage in the first quarter and it led 46-33 at the half. The Sea Lions pushed their advantage to 19 points on a free throw by Corder with 7:12 left in the third quarter.
 
From there Biola began to chip away at the lead. They cut it to eight (65-57) at the end of the third quarter, before taking their first lead of the game at 87-86 with just 1:35 remaining. Corder put the Sea Lions back in front when Alix Henderson found her on a cutting layup at the 1:17 mark. The teams then exchanged free throws before Biola retook the lead on a 3-pointer by Madi Chang with 24 seconds left.
 
Coach Lisa Faulkner called a timeout to set up what would be the game-winning shot for Corder. Off the inbound pass, the Sea Lions ran action at the top of the key with Haylee Saurette, Henderson, and Corder. Saurette hit Henderson on the wing and Corder cut towards the basket, just outside the lane, and Henderson found her on a pass in stride for the go-ahead layup.
 
Biola had the chance to go back in front on its next possession as they were able to get a look at a reverse layup, but Henderson played good defense and the shot was missed. Cara Liggins collected the rebound, was fouled, and then knocked down two free throws to put PLNU up three (94-91). With six seconds left, Stephanie Lee took the ball almost the length of the floor, and had a shot to tie the game from '3' but it hit rim and the Sea Lions secured the victory.
 
Corder scored six of her 17 points in the fourth quarter to lead six Sea Lions in double-figures. She went 7-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range. She added eight rebounds. Cara Liggins notched her third double-double in five games with 16 points and game-high 10 rebounds.
 
Alix Henderson hit five of her seven shots and all five free throws to record a career-high 15 points, to go along with four assists. Haylee Saurette was a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc en route to notching 12 points. Kennedi Byram and Ellie Turk each came off the bench to score 10 and 11 points, respectively. Kylie Hearn paced the team with five assists. Biola's Jazz Benn led all scorers with 30 points.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (4-1, 3-1 PacWest), Biola (1-4, 0-4 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
PLNU and Concordia are now tied atop the PacWest SoCal pod standings at 3-1. The loss drops Biola to 0-4 in conference play.
 
Turning Point
For most of the game, it was looking like the Sea Lions' strong first quarter was going to help carry them to victory, but Biola's second-half comeback forced PLNU to execute critical plays down the stretch. Apart from the two crucial layups from Corder, Point Loma also went 12-for-15 from the free throw line in the final period to secure the win.
 
Words from coach Lisa Faulkner
On what she told her team after Biola took the lead: "We have been in so many close situations so far this season. So we had to get in the present moment. The focus isn't on the lead we lost but what we need to do in the present to accomplish the mission. Our girls are smart, love each other, and want to succeed as a unit, so they buckled down and figured it out."
 
On the play out of the timeout for Corder: "It is one we haven't run yet this season but have practiced and they executed it perfectly. I was a great pass and great finish."
 
On Corder: "Madi is one of the best post defenders we have coached here. She is super active and brings so much energy. She is a great leader!"
 
On the importance of the late free throws: "We do pressure free throw situations at least twice a week. It's certainly paid off the last two games! Our players don't love it when they see it on the practice plan but that's why we practice! So when you get in those tight situations we step up and knock them down."
 
News and Notes
> Point Loma committed a season-low 10 turnovers, and have lowered their turnover total each of the last four games
> The 14 made 3-pointers are a season-high and the most for the Sea Lions since 2015
> Seven different student-athletes hit a 3-pointer
> Eight of the last nine games in the series between PLNU and Biola have been decided by eight points or less

Up Next
Point Loma will face Azusa Pacific for a pair of games. The two-game series will begin in Azusa on Friday, Feb. 5, and close at PLNU on Saturday, Feb. 6. Both games will tip-off at 2 p.m.