(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Men's Basketball overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Hawai'i Pacific, 64-55, in front of a raucous Golden Gym crowd on Saturday night during Homecoming weekend.
HPU held Point Loma scoreless for the final four minutes of the first half to lead by six entering the locker room.
The Sea Lions then started the second half strongly, as
Coby Barnes' 3-pointer tied it before
Jaden Matingou's floater put the hosts in front.
Point Loma maintained its advantage the rest of the way, leading by as many as nine multiple times throughout the second half.
PLNU held HPU to just two 3-pointers made for the game, including 0-for-8 from behind the arc after halftime.
Barnes scored a game-high 22 points, while Matingou was one off his career-high with 16 points.
Zack Paulsen added 11 points and six rebounds, with
Wynton Brown nearly recording a double-double with 10 points and nine boards.
With the win, Point Loma (18-7 overall, 13-4 PacWest) remains in first place in the PacWest standings, a half-game ahead of Academy of Art (17-7, 12-4).
PLNU officially clinched a spot in the PacWest Tournament, which the Sea Lions will be hosting March 7-9 in Golden Gym.
Point Loma plays its final home game of the regular season on Wednesday against Westmont. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
POSTGAME INTERVIEW
