(SAN DIEGO) No. 22 PLNU Men's Basketball began the new year with a 71-60 victory over Fresno Pacific on Thursday evening in Golden Gym.
 
Zackry Paulsen, who scored a game-high 20 points, hit a 3-pointer at the 1:48 mark in the first half to restore PLNU's lead that it never relinquished. Paulsen scored the final seven Sea Lions points in the opening period to give Point Loma a 41-36 lead at the break.
 
PLNU's advantage never got below three the rest of the way, as the Sea Lions held the Sunbirds to just 26.1% shooting in the second half.
 
Point Loma dominated the offensive glass, 18-6, resulting in a 22-7 advantage in second chance points.
 
PLNU converted 19 FPU turnovers into 22 points, while also outscoring the visitors in fast break points, 18-3.
 
The other Sea Lions to score in double figures were Tyce Paulsen (16 points, 8 rebounds), Luke Haupt (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Coby Barnes (10 points).
 
Point Loma (11-4 overall, 4-1 PacWest) next hosts Academy of Art on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Golden Gym.
 
The top two teams in the PacWest Preseason Poll squared off in San Francisco on Dec. 7, with PLNU edging ART U, 58-53.
 
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE