PACWEST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WEEKLY NOTEBOOK
 
IRVINE, Calif. -- Point Loma has had an incredible second half of its 2018-19 season, winning nine games in a row to clinch a berth into the PacWest Championships and move into fourth place in the conference standings with three games left in the regular season.
 
The Sea Lions’ young team has the third longest active winning streak in the West Region after beating Hawai`i Hilo and Chaminade at home this week to improve to 15-10 on the season. Sophomore Sydney Peterson had 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists against the Vulcans to help keep Point Loma’s streak alive.
 
Fresno Pacific is just a game behind Point Loma in the standings after pulling off a dominant win against Dominican, handing the Penguins just their third conference loss, 90-72. Natalie Diaz went off for 28 points, but the Sunbirds weathered the storm as Diaz eventually fouled out of the game. Jessica Malazarte scored 24 points for the Sunbirds, who picked up their 17th win of the season.
 
In the nationally-broadcasted game on Saturday between Hawai`i Pacific and Azusa Pacific, the Cougars earned another season split with the Sharks in what has been one of the PacWest’s most competitive rivalries over the last few years. Azusa Pacific now holds a commanding lead in the PacWest standings with four games left in the season. This week, Hawai`i Pacific and Fresno Pacific will take turns facing Point Loma and Concordia in what could be a preview of the first round of the PacWest Championships.
 
Weekly awards based on week of Feb. 11-17
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cassie Pisik, Fresno Pacific
F, Jr., 5-11 -- Lincoln, Calif.
Pisik recorded a pair of double-doubles as she led the Sunbirds to back-to-back wins and became the PacWest’s leader in rebounds. Against Biola, Pisik tallied 14 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Two days later, she helped Fresno Pacific upset Dominican with 13 points and 11 rebounds. On the defensive end, she helped hold Dominican to a 40 percent mark from the field. Pisik made 10 of 25 shots from the field, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc as she earned back-to-back double-doubles for the second time.
 
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Daylee Hanson, Azusa Pacific
G, Jr., 6-0 -- Edmonds, Wash.
Hanson helped Azusa Pacific avenge its only PacWest loss this season with a 71-63 win over Hawai`i Pacific on ESPN3 on Saturday. She equaled her season-high of seven steals and disrupted several HPU passes. Hanson helped the Cougars hold the Sharks to a 31.6 field-goal percentage. The junior leads the PacWest in steals this year with 70. She also contributed on the offensive end with 12 points and two assists.
 
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Chanel Stuart, Academy of Art
G, Fr., 5-8 -- Elk Grove, Calif.
Stuart played all 40 minutes in both of the Urban Knights’ games last week and she made a buzzer-beater against Holy Names to give Academy of Art its third conference win this year. Stuart had 19 points, four assists and three steals against Holy Names. With time running out in a tied game, the Urban Knights put the ball in the hands of Stuart, who stepped back for a long-range three-pointer that she sank for the victory. Against Chaminade, Stuart had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.