AZUSA, Calif. – Current PacWest leader Point Loma defeated Azusa Pacific 82-77 on Saturday afternoon in the Felix Event Center.
 
Three Cougars scored in double figures, led by 16 points from Savanna Hanson. Laura Pranger joined her with 15 points and six blocks, while Daylee Hanson posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Through the first three quarters it was a back and forth affair, as there were 13 lead changes and 12 ties. Heading into the fourth quarter, Point Loma clung to a 62-60 lead. While the Sea Lions hit a three-pointer to begin the final quarter and push the advantage up to 65-60, the Cougars would go on an 11-6 run to tie the game up at 71-71 with 5:42 remaining. Point Loma would respond with a run of its own, as the Sea Lions scored nine unanswered points to go up 80-71 with a little over three minutes in regulation. While Azusa Pacific was able to cut the deficit down to one possession by way of a Pranger layup that made the score 80-77 with 23 seconds left, Point Loma's Onjalise Carley-Hilliard knocked down two free-throws to ice the game and take the road victory.
 
The game was a physical contest, as there were 50 total fouls committed by the two teams. While the foul count was an even 25/25 split, Point Loma went 22-for-31 (71%) from the charity stripe, while the Cougars went 12-for-19 (63%). The Sea Lions finished 26-for-57 (46%) from the field, including 8-for-22 from beyond-the-arc. Azusa Pacific shot 40% (29-for-73) from overall, and 7-for-27 from deep. Point Loma also outrebounded the Cougars 45-38 in the game.
 
With the defeat, Azusa Pacific drops to 9-3 overall, and 3-3 in PacWest play. The Cougars will now head into the Christmas break, as they have 11 days before their next game. Azusa Pacific will travel to Academy of Art on Thursday, January 2 in San Francisco, Calif.