(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Women's Basketball started off the new year with a 56-44 win over visiting Fresno Pacific on Thursday afternoon to remain unbeaten in PacWest play and extend its winning streak to eight games.
With the victory, Point Loma reached double-digit wins on the season in its fewest number of games since 2016-17, while the Sea Lions improved to 5-0 in conference action for the first time in five years.
In a rematch of last season's PacWest Tournament semifinals, in which FPU narrowly defeated PLNU 63-61, Point Loma got off to a strong start in the first quarter.
The visitors scored the opening basket of the game and led for a mere 15 seconds before the hosts took over from there, doubling the Sunbirds in points with a 16-8 advantage after one.
PLNU then took a five-point lead into the half before holding FPU to just seven points in the third quarter.
Tavia Rowell's 3-pointer put the Sea Lions up by double digits as part of a 7-0 PLNU run in the third, before she gave Point Loma its largest lead of the game (16) with baskets on back-to-back possessions in the fourth.
PLNU dominated the glass, 52-33, while limiting FPU to just 28.6% shooting and 14.3% from behind the arc.
The Sea Lions gave up the fewest points they have allowed all season, marking a fourth-straight game their opponents have scored 50 points or fewer.
Alli McDonald led all players with 13 points and 17 rebounds, while Rowell joined her in double figures with 11 points.
Kaylee Byon (8 points) and
Maddie Mersch (7 points) were next, with both dishing out a game-high four assists apiece.
Point Loma (10-3 overall, 5-0 PacWest) will look to continue its winning streak on Saturday, when PLNU hosts Academy of Art in Golden Gym at 2 p.m.
The Sea Lions and Urban Knights squared off in San Francisco back on Dec. 7, with PLNU prevailing 70-59.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
