(AZUSA, Calif.) PLNU Men's Basketball earned an early edge in the PacWest title race, assuming sole possession of first place in the conference standings after beating Azusa Pacific on the road Saturday evening, 73-61.
 
"Obviously it's always big to pick up wins on the road and our defense traveled today," Head Coach Matt Logie said. "I thought our guys did a great job of competing and executing on that end of the floor against a very good offensive team."
 
The Sea Lions held the Cougars to just 26 first-half points, their fewest in an opening half all season long, to take a 12-point lead into halftime.
 
APU got to within nine with a 3-pointer to start the second half, but PLNU responded immediately with an 8-0 run, helped by a pair of triples from Kaden Anderson and Brian Goracke.
 
Point Loma, who was picked to finish second in the PacWest this season behind APU, then extended its lead to as many as 23 with 9:15 to play following Shamrock Campbell's 3-pointer.
 
For the game, the Sea Lions shot 16-for-32 (50%) from behind the arc.
 
"Offensively we did a great job sharing the basketball and playing for one another," Logie said. "Our guys stepped up and made shots like we've known they're capable of all year long."
 
Anderson (20 points) had his best shooting game of the season from distance, making five of the team's 3-pointers, while Campbell (16 points) was right behind with four triples. Luke Haupt (nine rebounds, six assists) joined the duo in double figures with 10 points.
 
PLNU also got valuable contributions off the bench from Jake Lifgren (nine points), who was a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc, and Wes Slajchert (seven points, six assists).
 
"Kaden, Luke and Sham all played great games and I thought the boost we got off the bench from Jake and Wes tonight was fantastic," Logie said.
 
After two-straight road games, Point Loma (8-3 overall, 4-0 PacWest) returns to Golden Gymnasium on Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference matchup with Holy Names.