In the opening round of the PacWest Conference Tournament, no. 5 Concordia was pitted against no. 4 Point Loma. Concordia had a lot on the line during its first ever trip to the conference tournament. The Eagles looked for redemption after dropping both regular season contests to the Sea Lions and their first post season win of the NCAA era. Thursday in Riverside, CUI claimed a closely fought 69-65 win over Point Loma. 

Although Point Loma entered halftime with a slim 28-26 advantage, Concordia's defensive resiliency and accurate shooting helped them strike back. In the second half, the Eagles shot over 60 percent from the field and three-point territory. They also out rebounded their opponents 15-12 and forced seven turnovers. 

Point Loma extended its lead to 11 early into the second half, but Concordia reduced the gap with three-pointers from JT Roach and Tad Dufelmeier to put the Eagles within seven. With 14:07 to go, Dufelmeier drove through traffic for a layup and the five-point differential. A minute and a half later, Roach hit a jumper in the key to chip the Point Loma lead away to three. The following two drives, the Eagles forced back-to-back turnovers. CUI's strong defensive play paid off and Dufelmeier got the tying basket on the pass from Chambers with 10 minutes remaining.  Point Loma responded with a deep shot, but Mike Mellinger struck back with a layup to keep the Eagles within one. Concordia caught up at 47-47 and on the following play, Tyler Lacour and Geoff Gerlach's duo steal gave CUI possession.

With the shot clock winding down, Dufelmeier tossed up a last chance shot and made the go ahead layup. The Sea Lions and Eagles continued to flip flop, with neither team taking control of the game. Down by two with four to play, Roach knocked down a shot on the pass from, Michael Vos-Otin for three Eagle points. Point Loma retaliated with a layup to regain the slim advantage but Dufelmeier delivered next with a deep shot to even things at 61 with 3:00 on the clock. Even again at 63, Gerlach grabbed a crucial defensive rebound which converted into a three-point play on the shot from Dufelmeier. Tyler Lacour stepped up next, forcing a turn over on a charge with 18 to play. Concordia fought Point Loma off the final seconds to secure the 69-65 win. 

Dufelmeier led the team with 19 points, shooting 4-5 from the three-point range. He also added five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Gerlach added 13 points, making 6-8 field goals. 

Friday at 7:15 p.m., Concordia faces off with the Dixie State Trailblazers in Riverside, Calif. Dixie State won the 2017-2018 conference title with a 21-6 (18-2 PWC) record. The winner wil advance to Saturday's Championship game at 4:30 p.m.