(ABERDEEN, S.D.) Despite a pair of losses at the SCB Champions Classic, No. 20 PLNU Men's Basketball leaves South Dakota knowing it can compete with the best teams in NCAA Division II.
 
After No. 8 Minnesota Duluth outlasted Point Loma in overtime on Friday night, tournament host Northern State, receiving votes in the NABC Coaches Poll, pulled away from the Sea Lions in the second half on Saturday to win 80-68.
 
"I'm really proud of the way our guys fought here all weekend," Head Coach Matt Logie said. "Coming off a tough OT game last night, our fifth game in nine days and after 4,000 miles of travel, these guys stuck together and competed their tails off."
 
PLNU appeared to shake off Friday's heartbreaking overtime loss with a strong start on Saturday, as Kaden Anderson and Tobin Karlberg scored on the team's opening two possessions.
 
A couple minutes later, a 3-pointer from Shamrock Campbell extended Point Loma's early lead to five. The two teams then went toe-to-toe the rest of the half, with the Wolves taking a slim two-point advantage into the intermission, 35-33.
 
NSU resumed play with a triple on its opening possession, previewing what was to come in a second half that saw the hosts shoot an incredibly efficient 58.3%.
 
Another 3-pointer from Campbell managed to get Point Loma back to within four with 14:10 to play, but that was as close as the Sea Lions would get the rest of the way.
 
While PLNU scored two more points in the second half than it did in the first, the Wolves held the Sea Lions to just 35.7% shooting after halftime.
 
"Give credit to Northern State for playing hard and making the plays needed to win," Logie said. "They are really well-coached, have a great point guard and tremendous length and skill in the front court."
 
Kaden Anderson scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds, earning him a place on the All-Tournament Team. Tobin Karlberg posted Sea Lion career-highs with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Luke Haupt had a near double-double with his nine points and nine rebounds.
 
Point Loma (3-2 overall) returns home for a pair of home games this coming week, first against Cal State San Marcos on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
 
"We are just scratching the surface of our potential and I'm excited to get back home for a couple home games next week," Logie said.