IRVINE, Calif. - Biola took the rubber game of the season series over No. 12 Point Loma, 79-74, to capture the PacWest SoCal Pod title. (Mar. 6)
 
Point Loma struggled from the field in the first half hitting just 2-of-18 from 3-point range and 10-of-34 overall as Biola built a 39-29 halftime lead. In the second half, the Sea Lions cut the deficit to three points (50-47) with an 11-2 run with 13:09 remaining. The Eagles answered with a 9-2 run of their own to quickly push their advantage back to double figures.
 
The Sea Lions would not be deterred, however, and a 3-pointer by Brock Mackenzie with 7:21 left to cut Biola's lead back to three (62-59). The teams continued to trade baskets over the next six and a half minutes until the Sea Lions again found themselves down by three after Mackenzie was fouled on a 3-pointer and sunk all three free throws.
 
With 38 seconds remaining, PLNU played the defensive possession straight up, but with just four seconds on the shot clock, Chris Rossow was able to find just a little space to hit a difficult right-handed layup off the backboard to extend the Eagles' lead to five points with just 14 seconds remaining.
 
Mackenzie scored 22 of his 25 points after halftime as Point Loma outscored the Eagles in the second half (45-40). Kaden Anderson posted his fourth double-double of the season for the Sea Lions with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Myles Franklin had 14 points overall and helped carry PLNU through some tough stretches in the first half as he scored nine points in the opening period. Griffin Barker added nine points off the bench. Rossow paced Biola with 24 points and Alex Wright added 17 points and eight assists.  
 
Point Loma finished the contest shooting .400 percent from the field (24-of-60) and 7-of-28 from behind the arc. Meanwhile, Biola hit .491 percent of its shots and was 7-of-19 from 3-point range.
 
Team Records
#12 Point Loma (8-2, 7-2 PacWest), Biola (9-3, 9-2 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win gives Biola the PacWest SoCal Pod title for the 2020-21 season. PLNU finishes second at 7-2.
 
Words from coach Matt Logie
On the game: "I thought Biola came out and played a more spirited first half than we did and you have to credit them for that. They are a good team that plays well together and knows their identity."
 
On the Sea Lions' poor shooting: "I thought we got good looks in the first half, but they didn't go down. Similar to our first game at their place. Sometimes it's just a make or miss game, and the only way to overcome that is with stingy defense and we gave them 39 in the first half which didn't allow for that to happen."
 
News and Notes
> Both Point Loma losses this season have come against Biola
> PLNU never led after going up 2-0 to start the game
> In the two losses to the Eagles, Point Loma shot just 14-of-65 (.229 percent) from 3-point range
> The game was played on a neutral court at Concordia University
> The 10 free throws were a season-high for Mackenzie (previous high four)
> Anderson has now scored in double-figures in 25 straight games dating back to last season

Next
Point Loma will now have to await its playoff fate. The NCAA Selection Show will take place Sunday, Mar. 7 at 7:30 p.m. (PST) on NCAA.com.