LA MIRADA, Calif. - The No. 20 Point Loma women's basketball team overcame a 10-point deficit with 1:25 remaining in the game to force overtime, but it was Biola that prevailed in the extra period to win the game, 96-93. (Feb. 19)
 
Trailing 73-63 with 1:07 remaining Haylee Saurette and Ellie Turk scored on back-to-back possessions to cut the lead to five with a minute to play. Ellie Turk then proceeded to hit a pair of deep 3-pointers, sandwiched around three free throws by the Eagles. However, Biola kept making just one of two at the free throw line late in the quarter to keep the Sea Lions' hopes alive. With 0:22 left, Turk again found the distance from long range to cut the lead to 79-77. On the ensuing possession, Point Loma forced a turnover giving itself the chance to tie the game or take the lead.
 
The Sea Lions put the ball in the hands of the freshman Turk who crossed over her opponent at the top of the key and took the ball down the lane. She put up a teardrop, left-handed shot with five seconds left that bounced around the rim and fell through to send the game to overtime.
 
In the extra period, the Sea Lions grabbed the lead on a 3-pointer by Cara Liggins before the Eagles answered with a 6-0 burst to go back in front. PLNU tried to catch back up, but the shots were not falling like they were at the end of regulation and Biola also shot much better at the line (8-of-8) to preserve the lead.
 
Ellie Turk scored 16 of her team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Cara Liggins posted 19 points. Haylee Saurette added 17 points while leading the team in rebounds (nine) and steals (four). Alix Henderson came off the bench to register 10 points and a game-high seven assists. Stephanie Lee paced Biola with 29 points, including going 12-of-14 from the free throw line.
 
Team Records
#20 Point Loma (7-3, 6-3 PacWest), Biola (3-7, 2-7 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
Even with the loss, the Sea Lions remain a half-game up on Concordia, and a full-game up on Azusa Pacific in the PacWest standings.
 
Words from coach Lisa Faulkner
On the late comeback: "Ellie made big-time shots. We had some good clock management and did our job putting pressure on them. It was a great comeback that just came up a little short."
 
On what the team can learn: "Our takeaways are let's not get ourselves in a position where we have to come back. We missed a lot of shots and free throws that we should make. We have to find ways to get stops so that we aren't having to come back when our offense isn't quite what we want it to be."
 
News and Notes
> The loss snapped a four-game road winning streak for Point Loma
> Six of PLNU's 10 games have been decided by five points or less
> The Sea Lions shot just 10-of-40 from 3-point range and 15-of-29 at the free throw line
> This is the third time in the last four meetings between the teams that the game has come down to the final possession
> PLNU's bench outscored Biola's 56-29
> This was the first time all season Point Loma used this starting lineup
 
Next
These teams will meet again tomorrow in PLNU's Golden Gym to close out their season series. The game will tip-off at 2 p.m.

Game Highlights