(SAN DIEGO) No. 2 seed PLNU Women's Basketball shifts its focus to a possible NCAA West Regional at-large berth after Friday's PacWest semifinal defeat to No. 3 seed Azusa Pacific, 70-59.
 
Looking to defend its conference tournament title, Point Loma held APU to just six first-quarter points as the Sea Lions led 9-6 after one.
 
The Cougars then outscored the tournament hosts 21-10 in the second quarter to lead by eight going into the locker room.
 
PLNU responded well in the third, as Ruby Vlahov hit a 3-pointer to open the second half and Hannah Golan got the Sea Lions to within one.
 
Point Loma then saved its best offensive quarter for last with 22 points in the fourth, but APU caught fire from 3-point range in the final period, making 5-of-6 from behind the arc, to pull away late.
 
Vlahov led all scorers with 19 points, while Eiley Tippins added 17 points for the Sea Lions.
 
Point Loma (21-8 overall), ranked No. 6 in the latest regional rankings, will hope to hear its name called during Sunday's NCAA Division II Selection Show at 7:30 p.m., as PLNU looks to make a third-straight NCAA West Regional appearance.

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE