(SAN DIEGO) No. 1 seed PLNU Men's Basketball won a second-straight PacWest Tournament title and third in the past four years with a record-setting performance in a 94-69 victory over No. 2 seed Westmont on Saturday in Golden Gym.
Point Loma set a PacWest Tournament record with 20 3-pointers made, as the Sea Lions shot over 50% (20-for-32) from 3-point range in back-to-back games. PLNU also becomes the first team in PacWest Conference history to win back-to-back regular season and tournament titles in consecutive seasons.
The Sea Lions' first six baskets were all from long range, with the first three coming from Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Caden Harris (20 points).
PLNU's first two-pointer, a
Jaden Matingou layup, put the hosts up by double digits at 20-10 before the Sea Lions led by double figures the rest of the way.
Point Loma closed out the first half on an 11-0 run, as consecutive 3-pointers from
Jake Lifgren extended PLNU's advantage to 28 points going into the locker room.
After making 11 triples in the first half, the Sea Lions made another nine in the second half to set the tournament record.
Joining Harris in double figures were Lifgren (18 points, 6-for-6 3-pt.),
James Nobles (17 points, 5-for-5 3-pt.) and
Andrew Nagy (16 points, 2-for-2 3-pt.).
Harris (Most Outstanding Player), Lifgren, Nobles and
Jaden Matingou were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Point Loma (25-5 overall) earns the PacWest's automatic berth into the NCAA West Regional and will find out its seeding and matchup during Sunday's Selection Show at 8 p.m.
The Sea Lions will be making a second-straight regional appearance and eighth in the last nine seasons.
