(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Women's Basketball gave Fresno Pacific its first PacWest loss on Wednesday, winning a defensive battle 52-48 inside Golden Gym.
The Sea Lions held the Sunbirds to just 31.6% shooting, while limiting the visitors to just seven points in both the second and fourth quarters.
Point Loma (8-5 overall, 4-1 PacWest) became the first team this season to hold Fresno Pacific (9-3, 3-1) to under 50 points this season, moving into second place in the conference standings behind Azusa Pacific (10-3, 4-0).
After leading by five following the first quarter, FPU scored the first five points of the second to go up by double digits.
PLNU responded immediately with an 11-0 run, capped off by a
Shayla O'Neil triple, to regain its lead.
Annika Thayer then corralled an offensive rebound and drew a foul with just 0.2 seconds on the clock before sinking a pair of free throws to give the hosts a 30-25 halftime advantage.
The Sunbirds then outscored the Sea Lions 16-7 in the third to go up by four entering the final quarter of play.
But the hosts managed to remain unbeaten at home this season with a strong fourth period, as
Ellie Turk's lefty floater put Point Loma back in front at the 4:14 mark.
After a 30-second timeout, Turk found
Hannah Golan underneath the basket with an inch-perfect pass to give the hosts a five-point lead with 1:31 remaining.
FPU got to within two after a 3-pointer with 48 seconds to play, but PLNU forced a travel with eight seconds on the clock and
Tavia Rowell made a pair of free throws to ensure that the Sea Lions came away with the win.
Eiley Tippins dominated with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Her rebounding total and five blocks set new career-highs for the sophomore center.
Turk joined Tippins in double figures with 11 points while adding a game-high six assists.
Point Loma returns to Golden Gym on Saturday, when PLNU hosts Hawai'i Hilo at 2 p.m.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
