SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Concordia traveled to San Diego Saturday to battle the Sea Lions of Point Loma Nazarene University. The two teams both entered the match with only one loss in league play and CUI had won nine of its last ten. The first-place Sea Lions also entered the contest winners of eight of their last nine.
 
Point Loma started the game off in a zone defense but that did not bother the Eagles. Concordia shot the ball well the entire night with everybody who checked in knocking down at least one jump shot. 
 
Senior Rob McCoy came into the day picking up where he left off last game making big play after big play for the Green and Gold early on. This fired up the entire team and got the ball rolling for the whole squad.
 
The bench for the Eagles came up big in the first half, combining for 13 first half points courtesy Kyle Gray, Austin Clarke, and Darius Lee.
 
Although the CUI team came out shooting the lights out, they were not able to pull away because of the hot shooting from the Sea Lions on the other end. Both teams traded baskets throughout the half knocking down shot after shot. The first half ended with PLNU leading by just one, 38-37.
 
In the second half the Eagles continued their hot shooting. After Gray hit two free throws and junior Jalen Sanders knocked down a jumper and a three, the Green and Gold had built a 10-point advantage at 62-52.
 
However, Point Loma refused to go away. The Sea Lions worked their way inside and found opportunities as the Eagles shots from downtown started to cool off.
 
The game was knotted at 74 with under five minutes remaining and the game was still up for grabs. McCoy converted a three-point play to push CUI ahead 77-76 with under 90 seconds to play.

However, Point Loma regrouped with a layup by Sterling Somers (23 points) and hit enough free throws to escape. CUI had a valiant effort on the road but ultimately the final score was 81-79 in favor of the Sea Lions. 
 
The Eagles were led in scoring by McCoy (25 points), Andre Green (14) and Sanders (13). Green also collected a team-high nine rebounds. 
 
CUI will look to bounce back on Thursday,  Jan. 23 at the University of Hawai'i Hilo.

For the full schedule of the Concordia Irvine men's basketball team, click here.