The Surf ‘N’ Slam Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden Gymnasium on the Point Loma Nazarene University campus concluded Saturday as Stevens Point (WI) defeated Carroll 83-60 to lay claim to the tournament title.
The participating teams were University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Carroll College (Wis.), Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.), Ithaca (N.Y.), Maryville (Mo.), Rivier (N.H.) and tournament host PLNU. All the teams are NCAA Division III programs with the exception of Point Loma Nazarene, a NAIA program.
PLNU got off to a poor start with a 56-51 loss to Stevens Point.
The Sea Lions blew a 17-point lead in the game. Kerra Sutton-Wodarski was the leading scorer for Point Loma with 13 points. But 32 PLNU turnovers ” a remarkable 35-13 run ” gave Stevens Point the win. Maryville defeated Rivier, 83-66, Carroll beat Ithaca, 67-58 and Gustavus Adolphus outlasted Eau Claire 65-60 in the other games from the first day of play.
Day two was a different story for Point Loma, as the Sea Lions rebounded in a 97-50 victory over Rivier.
The Sea Lions turned the tables on the opponent by forcing 43 turnovers in the game. Senior guard Kati Hilbelink led PLNU with 20 points, but the win was a team effort as senior guard Brittney Dove, sophomore guard Danielle Arriola and senior forward Meghan McGuire contributed 15 points each in the rout.
Eau Claire rebounded as well with a 72-46 win over Ithaca, while Carroll and Stevens Point each won its second game in two days. Carroll just got by Gustavus Adolphus 65-64 and Stevens Point won big over Maryville 91-66.
PLNU closed the tournament on day three with a 20-point win over Eau Claire, 71-51. The victory clinched fourth place for the Sea Lions. Hilbelink and Kerra Sutton-Woderski led the scoring for PLNU with 13 points each. Hilbelink was named All-Tournament. Ithaca defeated Rivier 77-57 and Maryville won its second game of the tournament 68-64 over Gustavus Adolphus.
The Sea Lions are currently 8-2 on the season and 2-1 in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). The conference wins came over Biola 76-69 on the road and Hope International 96-60 at home. Point Loma Nazarene’s next game will be at home against GSAC rival Cal Baptist University on Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
