(LAKELAND, Fla.) PLNU Men's Basketball made a major statement on Sunday, beating a ranked opponent for the second straight game to open the regular season, defeating No. 19 Florida Southern by a 90-85 margin.
Florida Southern, the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic tournament hosts, were previously a perfect 5-0 when hosting the prestigious event featuring some of the top teams in NCAA Division II.
That included on Saturday, when Florida Southern defeated No. 1 and defending national champion Minnesota State, 91-86.
"Our group left no doubt they belong in the conversation with the top teams in the country," Head Coach
Justin Downer said. "I'm proud of their play, but I'm prouder of their togetherness and willingness to play for each other. Credit to Small College Basketball and John McCarthy on a first-class event."
Just as it did in Saturday's win over No. 22 Fort Lewis, Point Loma got off to a fast start against Florida Southern on Sunday, jumping out to a 28-15 lead.
The Mocs then went on an 11-0 run in a 1:38 span to get to within two, only for the Sea Lions to respond with three straight possessions with a made 3-point basket to go back up by double digits.
That was part of a stellar shooting display from Point Loma in the first half, with PLNU making 12 3-pointers to ultimately take a 54-52 lead into the locker room.
The Sea Lions only made two triples in the second half, on only six attempts compared to 27 in the first half, but it didn't matter as the visitors held the Mocs to just 33 points after halftime.
Point Loma maintained its lead for the entirety of the second half, extending its advantage back to 10 following a dunk from
Wynton Brown.
Zackry Paulsen's 3-pointer then gave PLNU a 14-point lead with 2:43 remaining before Florida Southern battled back to make it a one-possession game following a miraculous four-point play.
However,
Coby Barnes and
Luke Haupt combined to go a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line in the final 14 seconds to seal the victory.
Six Sea Lions scored in double figures, led by Haupt's 15 points and seven rebounds. Haupt represented Point Loma on the All-Tournament Team.
Tyce Paulsen followed with 14 points, all of which came in the first half. Brown (12 points) and Barnes (10 points) joined them in double figures, while
Zackry Paulsen nearly managed a double-double with his nine points and 10 rebounds.
Jaden Matingou and
Luke Smith led the second unit with 11 points each.
Point Loma (2-0 overall) returns to the court on Friday in its first game of the PacWest/CCAA Conference Challenge at Cal State East Bay. Tip-off in Hayward is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
