Story has been updated with quotes from Coach Logie

OAKLAND, Calif---Through three monster performances and two overtimes, the Point Loma Sea Lions (7-7 overall, 3-3 PacWest) handed the Academy of Art Urban Knights (8-5 overall, 4-1 PacWest) its first loss of the year in a 92-85 thriller Thursday afternoon.

For the second time in a month, the Sea Lions locked up with the Urban Knights, this time at Holy Names University's Tobin Gymnasium due to health and safety protocols in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The game delivered a matchup of the top team in the conference and the pre-season coaches pick to win it.

"All we talked about this week was grit." Point Loma Head Coach Matt Logie said. "I was really impressed with our defense in the first half. The slow start for both teams is a credit to the defense being played. That is such a good sign of the grit we were looking for this week."

Point Loma's early lead came thanks to another tremendous boost off the bench from Ben Okhotin. Okhotin's 3 three's helped him total 14 points in the half and stake Point Loma to a 27-24 halftime lead.

"Ben's been playing great the last few weeks." Logie said. "He's been relishing the role as sixth man and helping our second unit add some punch. He's really stepped up and given us a burst when we've needed it."

In the second half, it was Brock Mackenzie's turn to catch fire as the junior guard hit 3 three's as well and delivered 15 points in the second half.

Point Loma took a lead in the right before the final media timeout as Kaden Anderson's turnaround floater put the Sea Lions up 54-43. Mackenzie tacked on one of his three's and the Sea Lions were up 58-54 with 2:52 left.

But the Academy of Art went on a 6-0 run to regain the lead 60-58. Anderson's free-throws tied the game at 60 but the Urban Knights answered with a 3. After a few empty possessions, Okhotin delivered a tying three with 35 seconds left.

After a big stop, Point Loma looked to end the game at the buzzer but Mackenzie's three point attempt rolled off the iron, forcing overtime.

The overtime period continued with momentum swinging back and forth. Point Loma jumped back in front when Okhotin found Mackenzie for a go ahead three-pointer with 38 seconds left in the extra period.

The Urban Knights jumped back in front with just 10 seconds left, but Kaden Anderson's pump fake delivered enough of an open look to knock down the game-tying three-pointer with .03 on the clock and tie the game again, sending it to a second overtime.

The game continued its frantic pace in the second OT with both teams grabbing the lead again. Down 80-79, Anderson hit a turnaround jumper to give the Sea Lions the lead and deliver a 30 point night for the junior forward.

On the next trip down, Mackenzie drilled a three that stretched the difference into an 84-80 PLNU lead. After an Art U bucket, Anderson added a big three as well, forcing the Urban Knights to foul over the final 40 seconds.

Anderson, Okhotin, and Myles Franklin sealed the hard-fought game at the free-throw line.

The epic clash was not devoid of monster performances. Anderson finished with a game high 35 points and 13 rebounds. He had 13 in the 2^nd half and 17 in the ten minutes of overtime.
After getting the Sea Lions going early, Okhotin finished with 22 points including some crucial shots in the final minutes of the second half and overtime periods.

Mackenzie had all of his points after halftime, delivering 15 points that helped force overtime.

"Brock and Kaden both knew how much this meant to our team." Logie said. " Going on the road playing the first placed team in the conference, you need guys to step up. And a lot of guys did. Myles Franklin stepped back in after time off and gave us hug minutes. Brian Goracke made some keys plays down the stretch in the 2^nd half. Trey Anderson gave us a great stretch in the 1^st half."

The Sea Lions shooting improved as the game went in, and wore down the tenacious defense of the Urban Knights. Point Loma overcame a 34% 1^st half, shooting 44% in the 2^nd and 50% in both overtime periods.

Point Loma overcame the Urban Knights' hefty advantage scoring in the paint (46-28) with 13 made three's on the afternoon.

In addition to Anderson's double-double, Hugh Baxter was the lone player in double-digits on the glass, snatching 11 rebounds in 31 minutes before fouling out.

"I'm extremely proud of our group." Logie said. "We've had our share of adversity and tough close losses. A big win to punch through the adversity tonight and keep coming back."

Point Loma will wrap up the Northern California part of the trip against Dominican on Saturday at 3:00pm.