Point Loma Nazarene University partnered with the nonprofit Point Loma Association on Saturday, Feb. 10, for “Community Day,” a day of free basketball for San Diego residents and students.
The event featured food trucks, a snack bar, and a coffee cart, creating an atmosphere for families, students, and community members to enjoy a day watching PLNU basketball.
Jeff Bolster, PLNU vice president of university services, said PLNU and the athletics programs have become an important point of connection for many people in the surrounding community.
“Events like ‘Community Day’ give us the opportunity to showcase our teams as well as our campus,” Bolster said in an email interview. “It’s a little hospitality for neighbors. It’s also a way for PLNU staff, faculty and students to invite their networks and share a bit of PLNU with the people in their lives.”
Bolster sent out a campus-wide email on Feb. 7 announcing “Community Day” and urged students to invite organizations such as churches andschools.
Both the women’s and men’s basketball teams faced Azusa Pacific University for the second time this season.
Women’s basketball opened the doubleheader with a decisive win over the Cougars. The Sea Lions had an early lead and carried the advantage into halftime, 43-22, ultimately securing the win, 80-55.
Fourth-year center Eiley Tippins scored 25 points as the Sea Lions’ win put them in second place ahead of APU in the PacWest conference standings. The Sea Lions are now 13-4 overall.
Men’s basketball followed with a strong performance of their own, holding a solid 38-35 lead at halftime. Second-year forward Andrew Nagy scored 27 points, leading the Sea Lions to a 90-82 victory.
The men are now 14-3 overall and have secured their sixth consecutive win this year.
Students and community members who attended the games said they were excited to watch the games, including Ella Rice, a third-year biology major.
“I think that [Community Day] is a cool idea and it’s really fun to see our whole community at the game,” Rice said.
Cris Murphy is from Orange County, Calif., and came to watch her daughter on the cheer team.
Murphy said that “Community Day” was a good way for PLNU to give back to the local community.
“It was also great to see many families enjoying the basketball games,” Murphy said in a text message interview. “I did go out to the parking lot and enjoyed an iced latte from the coffee truck. My husband, at halftime, went out and got delicious Mexican food.”
Murphy said it was a great afternoon rooting for PLNU with a community.
“The women’s game was great as they had another win,” Murphy said. “The men’s game was exciting. They hustled and came out with a big win. There was lots of energy in the gym.”
Cade Michaelson