SAN DIEGO - Azusa Pacific overcame a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to spoil the No. 23 ranked Point Loma women's basketball team's final home game and set up a one-game championship for the PacWest SoCal Championship. (Feb. 26)
 
The Sea Lions led the entire way after the Cougars scored the opening basket of the game. Cara Liggins' layup put PLNU up 12 (67-55) with 8:18 left in the final period, but APU quickly stormed back with a 14-0 run over the next 3:10. Paige Uyehara scored 11 straight points during the run, including three 3-pointers.
 
Point Loma did not go away easy though as they responded with an 8-2 spurt capped off by a layup by Alix Henderson to retake the lead at 75-71 with 3:21 remaining. However, that would be the last basket the Sea Lions would get as they went 0-for-4 with two turnovers in the final minutes.
 
On the other side, a jumper by Molly Whitmore closed APU's deficit to one point (76-75) with 1:13 remaining.  She then came up with the offensive rebound off a missed layup from Uyehara with 21 seconds left and got fouled on the play before sinking both free throws to put the Cougars up one (77-76).
 
The Sea Lions had a chance to go back in front on the ensuing possession when Haylee Saurette drove left and spun back to her right for a good look at the basket, but the ball caromed off the rim and Alix Henderson was unable to get a good shot off with the clock winding down.
 
The loss spoiled Cara Liggins' big game as the senior went for 20 points, a career-high 15 rebounds, and four assists. It was her fifth double-double of the season and the 15th straight game, dating back to last year, that she has scored in double-figures. Saurette added 13 points and seven rebounds. Ellie Turk came off the bench with 11 points and Alix Henderson matched a career-high with eight assists. All five of Azusa Pacific's starters scored in double-figures, led by 25 points from Uyehara.
 
Team Records
#23 Point Loma (8-4, 7-4 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (9-4, 7-4 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
With this decision, the PacWest SoCal Pod Championship will come down to tomorrow's matchup at Azusa. Both teams are now 7-4 in PacWest play this year.
 
Turning Point
The 14-0 run by the Cougars erased a comfortable lead for the Sea Lions and gave them their first advantage since early in the contest, but the game was decided in the final minutes. PLNU held a three-point led with 1:30 remaining and the ball. They missed an easy layup and turned the ball over on the next possession to give APU the opportunity for the comeback.
 
Words from coach Lisa Faulkner

News and Notes
> Point Loma has not lost back-to-back games since Feb. 2020
> PLNU's bench outscored APU's 22-2
> The Sea Lions led the game for 37:31 minutes and the Cougars just 1:09 minutes
> Uyehara had scored a combined 18 points in the teams' previous two meetings
 
Next
Point Loma will close out its PacWest schedule, tomorrow (Feb. 27) at Azusa Pacific as the teams play for the PacWest SoCal Pod Championship with a bid to the NCAA West Regional likely on the line. The game will tipoff at 2 p.m. and can be viewed at https://athletics.apu.edu/watch/?Live=129&type=Live