IRVINE, Calif. – The Point Loma women’s basketball team outscored Concordia 17-5 in the final six minutes to come from behind and earn a 75-65 road win at Concordia. (Feb. 1)

Onjalise Carley-HilliardCara Liggins and Carol Schroeder powered the offense as the trio combined to score 58 of the Sea Lions’ 75 points. Carley-Hilliard went 10-of-14 from the field to lead the way with 23 points. Carol Schroeder was one point off her season-high with 18 points. She also had five rebounds and four steals. Liggins posted 17 points, a team-high nine rebounds and four steals.

Concordia jumped on the Sea Lions early, but PLNU fought back to take a 37-28 lead at the half. That lead would slip away from PLNU after Concordia outscored them 23-15 in the third quarter. A 6-0 spurt by the Eagles early in the fourth gave them a 60-58 lead with 6:04 remaining, but from then on it was all Sea Lions.

PLNU scored the next nine points to go up 67-60. Concordia would cut the lead back to five (69-64) but a basket in the paint Kennedi Byram with just over a minute left pushed the lead back to seven and the Eagles would never get any closer.

Team Records
Point Loma (13-7, 9-5 PacWest), Concordia (11-7, 9-4 PacWest)

PacWest Implications
The win pulled Point Loma to within a half-game of Concordia for fourth place in the PacWest standings.

The Turning Point
The late run propelled the Sea Lions to victory. They had great effort on both sides of the court and the trio of Hilliard, Schroeder and Liggins combined to score 14 of PLNU’s final 17 points.

Words from coach Lisa Faulkner
On the late run: “We had a great fourth quarter. I was so proud that we responded so well when they took the lead. It started with our defensive energy and intensity. Then we did a good job converting offensively when we had opportunities.”

On what the team learned from the first meeting: “We learned we can’t allow any team get out to a big lead. We have to make energy and effort plays when there are momentum shifts in the game. We adjusted some things defensively tonight and did a good job executing the game plan.”

On the Sea Lions’ plus-12 advantage in turnovers: “Aggressive mentality helped with us handling the ball. When we are aggressive, we are hard to stop offensively. Again, we shifted some defensively tonight which allowed us to put some more pressure on them and get in passing lanes. Carol and Cara were super active which allowed them to get steals.”

On the upcoming homestand: “We love February it’s where the good teams play their best and the bad teams go away. Can’t wait to play at home for a good portion this month. Looking forward to the progression of this team!”