AZUSA, Calif. - The Point Loma women's basketball team overcame a seven-point halftime deficit and multiple leads by Azusa Pacific in the fourth quarter to earn a 93-91 win over the Cougars on the road.
 
Freshman Ellie Turk came off the bench to score a career-high 26 points to lead all scorers. She hit 9-of-16 shots from the field and 8-of-10 attempts from the free throw line. She added three assists and two steals. Madison Corder just missed a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Cara Liggins added 13 points and eight boards. Haylee Saurette notched 12 points and eight boards in a reserve role. Kayla Shaw led APU with 25 points.
 
Early on PLNU could not find its rhythm as it missed seven of its first eight shots, but once it got rolling it was hard to stop them offensively. The Sea Lions quickly erased a 42-35 halftime-deficit with a 33-point third quarter to lead 58-57 going into the fourth.
 
The teams then traded leads six times in the final quarter before a timely spurt by the Sea Lions gave them a lead APU was unable to overcome. It started with three straight jumpers by Alix Henderson, Ellie Turk, and Cara Liggins to give the PLNU its largest lead of the game at 90-85 with just 40 seconds remaining.
 
A 3-pointer by Alex Lowden brought the Cougars back within two points before Ellie Turk pushed the lead back to four with a pair of free throws. APU's Kayla Shaw proceeded to hit a deep 3-pointer to bring the lead back to one (92-91) with ten seconds remaining. Liggins was then fouled and hit one of two free throws and Azusa had the chance to tie or win the game in the final seconds. However, the Sea Lions' defense shut down all the looks from behind the arc and Lowden missed the game-tying shot from the elbow, giving Point Loma its second straight road win.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (5-1, 4-1 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (2-3, 2-3 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win temporarily pushes PLNU into a half-game lead over Concordia for the top spot in PacWest SoCal Pod standings. Concordia will play Biola tonight at 5 p.m. APU remains in third place with the loss.
 
Turning Point
While the offense was running on all cylinders in the second half, the most crucial plays of the game, those which helped swing the contest to PLNU, were made on the defensive end. After Henderson's jumper gave Point Loma the one-point lead, Haylee Saurette came up with a steal and the Sea Lions forced APU into two consecutive misses from behind the arc as they extended their lead to five with just 40 seconds left in regulation.
 
Words from coach Lisa Faulkner
On playing in so many close games: "The southern pod is very strong so we know we are going to be in a close game every weekend. We have figured out ways to win. Now having been in so many close game situations our players know how to execute offensively and get stops down the stretch."
 
On Ellie Turk's improvements: "Ellie is a great player. She is growing very quickly and figuring out shot selection. She also has given us a huge boost defensively by being aggressive. She is a high-energy player and we are super excited to keep watching her grow."
 
On the low turnover count while playing so fast: "Credit to our point guards. They are making good decisions. Getting our squad to play fast but under control. Kylie and Alix are really starting to show who they can be as players and I am proud of them. That has translated in our team taking better care of the ball."
 
On the contributions from the bench: "Practice is super competitive. Everyone knows they are going to get opportunities to play. We have mixed starters. Our message has been this is going to be a collective effort and everyone has adopted the attitude 'what can I do for the team.'"
 
News and Notes
> PLNU scored 33 points in the third quarter, its highest scoring output in any quarter this year
> The Sea Lions have scored 90 or more points each of the last two games
> Four of PLNU's five games have been decided by five points or less (4-1), and all six have been decided by eight points or less
> The eight turnovers are a season-low
> Point Loma's bench outscored APU's 50-21

Up Next
These teams will face off again tomorrow in Golden Gym to close out the first half of the PacWest Conference schedule for both teams. The game will tip-off at 2 p.m.