(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.)
Tavia Rowell missed her winter commencement ceremony on Saturday to play for PLNU Women's Basketball against Westmont.
She made sure it was well worth it.
Rowell scored a game-high 21 points to lead Point Loma to a 57-41 victory, as the Sea Lions pulled away in the second half to remain unbeaten in PacWest play.
"Today was Tavia's graduation and because she had to miss it, we did a mini graduation for her last night," Head Coach
Charity Elliott said. "We had a fun video from her parents and even President Brower sent his good wishes.
"We just wanted her to know that we were all so proud of this accomplishment and today she came out ready to get some buckets. She seemed to be everywhere today, getting deflections and steals and then finishing tough baskets at the rim."
After PLNU led by three at the half, Westmont scored the first five points of the third quarter to briefly retake the lead, only for Rowell to score six points in a 14-0 Point Loma run that put the Sea Lions up by double digits.
Ten of the 14 points during that stretch were fastbreak points, as PLNU began to get out in transition.
"I was really pleased in the second half with our team defense which led to some transition baskets for us," Elliott said.
The hosts got no closer than nine points the rest of the way, with the Sea Lions leading by as many as 18 to remain unbeaten to start conference play.
PLNU held Westmont to just 15-for-57 (26.3%) shooting from the field, while dominating in the low post with a 40-6 advantage in points in the paint.
"Any conference road win is hard to get and we knew Westmont would be a tough battle," Elliott said. "I continue to be proud of this team's energy and their team-first mentality."
Ellie Turk (11 points, five rebounds) and
Eiley Tippins (10 points, six rebounds) joined Rowell in double figures.
Point Loma (6-4 overall, 2-0 PacWest) has won four-straight games ahead of Tuesday's conference matchup at Azusa Pacific. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
