SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- Six lead changes came in the first 10 minutes of play, but then the hosting Point Loma Sea Lions took over in Thursday night PacWest basketball versus Biola, as a 68-55 game deals the Eagles their eighth conference loss.
Biola led by as much as seven and trailed by as much as 15, but ultimately ended up with a 13-point deficit on a night where the offense just couldn't find any consistent source of production.
There were spurts where
Isaiah Jones carried the load, spurts where
Trevor Treinen stepped up and one big spurt late in the second half where
Levi Auble nearly flipped the script, but when all was said and done none of that was enough for a win.
After post plays dominated the conversation early on Point Loma utilized the deep threat to come from behind and take the lead in the middle of the first half. They used three consecutive three-point makes to build a 31-24 lead 16 minutes into the half. They'd never relinquish that lead.
We mentioned the long run that Auble spearheaded in the second half. He and Treinen combined for 10 points in just over three minutes as the Eagles turned a 50-35 Point Loma lead into just a 50-48 lead with a 13-point run.
That set the game up for a thrilling finish with six minutes and 48 seconds left on the clock, but instead PLNU scored 10 of the next 11 in a lightning fast next two minutes to put the game once again out of reach.
Even after the Sea Lions' third-highest scorer and top shooter fouled out with four minutes left Biola just could not cut into the lead and PLNU was able to ride a three-point play to tie its top lead in the game (+15) at 67-52 with just inside a minute left.
Treinen and Jones were the leading scorers for Biola. Both men ended with 16 points. PLNU had the game's leading man as Preston Beverly compiled 23 overall. Beverly also had 11 rebounds as he and Jones (10 rebs) brought in the game's only double-doubles.
The loss drops Biola to 6-10 overall (0-8 PacWest), while the Sea Lions improved to 12-6 (6-3 PacWest) and are now 6-2 inside of Golden Gymnasium this season.
The Eagles continue their quest for PacWest win number one and hope to see it come this Saturday at home against familiar foe Concordia University Irvine. The Eagles host the Eagles in a 7:30 p.m. matchup. Fans should arrive a little early to grab some free Chick-Fil-A courtesy Chick-Fil-A at the La Habra Marketplace.
