(SAN DIEGO) No. 13 PLNU Men's Basketball overcame a double-digit halftime deficit against Hawai'i Hilo on Saturday in Golden Gym to win its eighth-straight game and further cement its place atop the PacWest standings with a 64-62 victory.
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Just as it did in the PacWest Tournament semifinals in Golden Gym last season, Point Loma trailed Hilo by double figures in the second half on Saturday, only to storm back and come away victorious.
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The Vulcans led 34-28 at halftime before extending that to 53-42 with 10:57 left in regulation.
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A trio of 3-point plays from
Zackry Paulsen,
Luke Haupt and
Andrew Hommes then helped spark the Sea Lions' comeback, as Paulsen scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half.
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Hommes' and-one then made it a two-point game before
Jaden Matingou tied it up with a pair of free throws on PLNU's ensuing possession.
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Matingou's magic then gave the Sea Lions their first lead of the second half, as his behind-the-back feed found
Pierce Davis for an easy lay-in.
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Davis' emphatic dunk with 2:40 remaining proved to be the winning points, as the Sea Lions got a crucial stop in the closing seconds thanks to Haupt's strip steal.
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Haupt led all players with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Paulsen (14 points) and
Coby Barnes (12 points) joined him in double figures. Davis (8 points) was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, helping PLNU outscore Hilo 40-26 in the paint.
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Point Loma (18-4 overall, 11-1 PacWest) next hosts Azusa Pacific on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in Golden Gym.
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POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
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