(SAN RAFAEL, Calif.)
Zackry Paulsen set a new career-high with 35 points, accounting for nearly half of Point Loma's offensive output in a 71-65 PacWest semifinal victory over fourth-seeded Hawai'i Hilo on Friday in San Rafael.
The win advances the top-seeded Sea Lions to their third straight conference championship game and fifth in the last six editions.
Friday's contest was a rematch of last year's PacWest Tournament semifinal, which required Point Loma to overcome a double-digit halftime deficit.
The sequel required no such comeback, as PLNU didn't turn the ball over a single time in the first half and closed the opening period on a 12-4 run to take a 34-27 advantage into the locker room.
The Sea Lions maintained their lead for the entirety of the second half, not allowing the Vulcans to get any closer than three.
Hilo made it a one-possession game on a few occasions, only for Paulsen to respond each time, including with three consecutive midrange jumpers at the midway point of the second half.
Luke Haupt's 10th assist of the night was a sweet feed down low to
Wynton Brown, whose left-handed layup put PLNU up by double digits for the first time with 3:32 remaining.
Brown then swatted a shot out of bounds on Hilo's ensuing possession, making his presence felt in his first game back from injury after being out for over a month.
Paulsen, who shot 4-for-7 from behind the arc, was nearly joined in double figures by
Pierce Davis (9 points). Davis led all players with a plus-minus of 12 when he was on the floor.
Tyce Paulsen scored eight, while Haupt and Brown each added six points each.
Point Loma (26-5 overall) will play third-seeded Academy of Art (19-11) in Saturday's championship game after ART U defeated second-seeded Biola with a 3-pointer at the buzzer, 67-66.
Tip-off in San Rafael is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
