SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.-In a battle that came down to the final shot, the Point Loma Sea Lions (21-10 overall) fell 66-64 to the Azusa Pacific Cougars (21-9 overall) in the first round of the NCAA West Regional Friday night at the Coussoulis Arena.

In the third meeting of the season between the two teams, Point Loma and Azusa Pacific looked every bit as familiar with each other as one could expect. And in a game fitting of the National Tournament, it was filled with big performances and big shots.

While the shot-making was important down the stretch, both teams displayed tight defense early with Azusa's ability to force turnovers dictating the early pace.

The first minute saw the familiar foes exchange free throws before Hugh Baxter went coast-to-coast after a steal.

Azusa applied plenty of pressure defensively, trapping at seemingly every opportunity they had. Offensively, the Cougars were equally aggressive and forced the ball inside on each of their first five possessions.

The pace picked up right before the first media timeout with both teams scoring baskets in the paint.

APU came out of the timeout to quickly establish a five-point lead. Point Loma found its answer with tough defense leading to a Brock Mackenzie three-pointer in transition which tied the game at 15.

APU responded again with a 6-0 run, forcing a Point Loma timeout.

Azusa's defense locked down over the next six minutes as they extended their advantage to 29-21 at the under four timeout. The Cougars turned 9 PLNU turnovers into 12 points to build their advantage.

But Point Loma closed the half strong behind Kaden Anderson. The PacWest Player of the Year scored five straight points to pull Point Loma within five and then forced a steal on APU's attempt on a shot before the end of the half. Anderson pushed the ball up court to Okhotin who banked in a deep three-pointer from the wing as time expired to cut the Azusa to 34-32 at the half.

Point Loma made it a one-possession game despite ten first-half turnovers and shooting just 37% from the field.

Point Loma found their defense to start the 2^nd half, putting together a string of stops, turning four APU turnovers into a 7-3 run at the start of the half to retake the lead.

Azusa responded with an 18-8 run, putting Point Loma in a 55-47 deficit with just under 9 minutes remaining in regulation.

The Sea Lions then buckled down with consecutive stops and Brock Mackenzie's three pulled the game within 3 before a PLNU timeout with 6:12 left.

After a little back and forth, Anderson drove to the basket, absorbed contact, scored the basket, and drew the foul. Anderson completed the three-point play at the free-throw line, tying the game at 55.

Point Loma got the ensuing stop with Brock Mackenzie diving for a loose ball and getting a timeout.

Mackenzie hit a three to go in front on the ensuing possession. But after an APU answer, Luke Haupt pushed Point Loma back on top.

APU's three with 40.0 seconds left made the game 63-60.

Anderson responded again, this time with a left-wing three, knotting the game at 63-63.

But APU found another three with 4.5 seconds left to go back in front 66-63.

Luke Haupt was fouled to put APU in the penalty, making it a 1 and 1 situation. After Haupt hit the first free throw, the intentional miss was tipped to Point Loma, but the desperation shot rimmed out to conclude the game.

Anderson finished with a game-high 32 points and 13 rebounds. Brock Mackenzie was the only other Sea Lion in double figures with 11 points.

The Sea Lions hit 5 threes in the 2^nd half, but were much more efficient in their attempts, doubling their 3-point percentage in the final 20 minutes.

Turnovers proved costly for Point Loma, with the first half totals largely sparking APU's earliest offense. APU also received terrific contributions from its bench, receiving 34 points from its bench, with three total players in double-figures.

While Point Loma's season comes to a close after a regular-season PacWest title and an NCAA Tournament berth, APU moves on to play Alaska-Fairbanks Saturday in San Bernardino.