(SAN DIEGO) No. 11 PLNU Men's Basketball started the game on a 9-0 run but couldn't overcome Cal State East Bay on Saturday night, falling on the wrong side of a 61-57 scoreline.
 
Wynton Brown scored the first basket of the game before consecutive blocks on the same defensive position livened up the Golden Gym crowd.
 
A 3-point play from Jake Lifgren also highlighted the Sea Lions' strong start to the game, which helped the home side take a 26-24 lead into the half.
 
However, the visitors opened the second half on an 18-4 run to go up by 12.
 
An and-one from Luke Smith brought PLNU back to within three at the 8:57 mark.
 
After the Pioneers extended their lead back to double digits, Smith's triple with 1:42 to play cut PLNU's deficit to four.
 
But that's where the margin remained, as neither team scored the rest of the game, handing the Sea Lions their first loss of the season.
 
Coby Barnes flirted with a double-double, scoring a game-high 18 points and adding nine rebounds. Smith was close behind with his 16 points, a career-high in his second collegiate game.
 
Lifgren nearly joined them in double figures with nine points.
 
Point Loma (1-1 overall) returns to Golden Gym on Monday, hosting Saint Martin's at 7:30 p.m.
 
POSTGAME INTERVIEW