(LACEY, Wash.) No. 16 PLNU Men's Basketball picked up its third victory over a ranked opponent already this season, defeating No. 12 Saint Martin's on the road on Saturday, 92-88.
 
"Great execution by our guys against a very talented Saint Martin's team," Head Coach Justin Downer said. "Very proud of our ability to adapt to multiple defenses. This team keeps getting better week to week and game to game, which is our goal."
 
The Saints led the Sea Lions, 16-8, early in the first half before the visitors came back to take a 48-46 halftime advantage after scoring its second most points in a half so far this year.
 
A 13-0 PLNU run then turned a two-point deficit into an 11-point lead early in the second half.
 
Saint Martin's battled back to tie the game on a couple occasions, but Point Loma never trailed the rest of the way, as the Sea Lions made enough free throws down the stretch to give the Saints their first loss of the season.
 
Zackry Paulsen scored a season-high 26 points, while Luke Haupt (18 points, 6 assists), Wynton Brown (16 points) and Coby Barnes (15 points) also scored in double figures.
 
"A huge shoutout to the over 100 PLNU fans who showed up at Saint Martin's tonight," Downer said.
 
Point Loma (6-1 overall) is off to its best start to a season since 2020-21.
 
The Sea Lions return home to host the PLNU Thanksgiving Classic on Friday and Saturday, beginning with a matchup against Seattle Pacific on Friday at 2 p.m.