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SAN DIEGO – The Sea Lions beat their second Canadian-based institution in as many games, topping Trinity Western 91-69 Monday afternoon in Golden Gymnasium. Point Loma Nazarene was led by the 15 points and 8 rebounds from Anthony Ussery, with both Rhett Beal and Wil Bush chipping in with 12 points.

The non-conference tilt was fast-paced yet took a long time to finish due to an abundance of fouls (48) and turnovers (46) which continually stopped play.

PLNU, which improved to 6-3, scored the first four points of the game and never looked back. Loma's lead hit double-figures five minutes into play and expanded to 20 points at the 8:30 mark. The Sea Lions shot 63 percent over the first 20 minutes and were ahead 54-28 at intermission.

The PLNU lead reached a game-high 34 at 11:35 in the second before the team settled for the final 22-point triumph.
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Loma shot 61 percent for the game, sinking half of their shots from long-range (5-10). The Sea Lions made good on 24-34 free throws. PLNU's bench contributed 45 points in the win as well.

Every PLNU player who saw action Monday scored. Hayden Lescault had 11 points and 6 assists in the PLNU victory. Marek Klassen, whose hometown is near Trinity Western, had 7 points and 5 assists. Jake Johnston had 9 points and Carter Warnock had 7 points.

The Spartans were held to 40 percent shooting (23-57) and made just nine buckets in the first half. Trinity Western struggled from beyond the arc, making just 2-of-11 and also missed on 12 of their 33 free throw attempts. PLNU converted 26 TWU turnovers into 33 points.

Lucas Nugteren and Sean Peter led the Spartans (6-8-1) with 12 points apiece. Tristan Smith and Kyle Coston each had 11 points.

Point Loma Nazarene takes a few days off for Christmas before welcoming Ashford (Iowa) and Baker (Kan.) after the break. The Sea Lions meet Ashford first, on December 27 and then take on Baker on the 29th. Both contests start at 7:30 pm and mark the Green and Gold's final non-GSAC tilts of the season.