(SAN DIEGO) In its final non-conference game before PacWest play begins, PLNU Men's Basketball defeated Vanguard 90-81 on Saturday inside Golden Gym.
"Obviously a game that's close to my heart," Head Coach
Justin Downer said. "(Vanguard Head Coach) Rhett Soliday gave me my first crack at college coaching. I slept on his floor for a whole year and we had an amazing year that I will forever cherish. I'm grateful that he opened the doors to not only his program but his home to me."
Vanguard led for much of the first half and by as many as six, before Point Loma closed the half on a 9-0 run, as
Wynton Brown's tip-in beat the halftime buzzer to give the Sea Lions a 40-34 lead into the locker room.
"Vanguard is so hard to prep for because the pace and physicality isn't something you can necessarily walk through," Downer said. "I thought they imposed their will early. A ton of credit to our guys for maintaining composure and finding a way to go in with a lead at halftime."
Coby Barnes' and-one in transition off a
Jake Lifgren steal gave the Sea Lions their first double-digit lead, which was extended to a game-high 14 when
Jaden Matingou converted a 3-point play after absorbing contact at the rim.
The Lions fought back to within three with under four minutes remaining, but Matingou drained a triple on the ensuing possession to thwart the visitors' comeback bid.
"
Jaden Matingou gave us a huge lift," Downer said. "It's so cool to see his work pay off. This team has had guys continue to step up when we need someone to give us a spark. It was Jaden tonight, and I'm looking forward to seeing who it is next week."
Matingou (career-high 17 points) was one of four Sea Lions to score in double figures, led by
Zack Paulsen's 20 points and 19 apiece from Barnes and Lifgren.
PLNU's 90 points are the most it has scored this season.
Point Loma (5-3 overall) returns to Golden Gym on Saturday when PLNU hosts Concordia at 4 p.m. in its first PacWest game of the season.
