(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Men's Basketball cut a 13-point halftime deficit down to just one in the second half, but its comeback bid fell just short as Academy of Art defeated Point Loma 95-86 to overtake the Sea Lions atop the PacWest standings.
 
After ART U started the game on an 8-0 run and led by as many as 16 in the first half, Point Loma scored 53 points in the second period, its most in any half this season.
 
The Sea Lions made 7-of-14 3-pointers in the second half, as the team shot 56.7% overall from the field after halftime.
 
But PLNU's offensive explosion was negated by an equally as potent ART U, who scored 12 more points than any other team had managed in a single game against Point Loma this season.
 
Freshmen Tyce Paulsen and Jaden Matingou set career-highs in scoring with 27 points and 17 points respectively.
 
Three other Sea Lions joined them in double figures, with Coby Barnes (15 points), Zack Paulsen (14 points, 9 rebounds) and Wynton Brown (10 points) also reaching double-digits in scoring.
 
Point Loma (15-7 overall, 10-4 PacWest) now sits a half-game behind first-placed Academy of Art (14-6, 10-3) in the PacWest standings entering the final month of the regular season.
 
The two teams will close out the conference schedule on March 2 in San Francisco.
 
PLNU will now look to avenge a road loss to Azusa Pacific when the Sea Lions welcome the Cougars to Golden Gym on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE