This week
The Point Loma men's basketball team will host its highest ranked team since joining NCAA Division II as it welcomes in No. 4 California Baptist on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. This will be the opening game of PacWest play for each team.
 
#BEATCBU Night
California Baptist and PLNU were longtime rivals in the Golden State Athletic Conference before each made the move to the PacWest within the past six years. The Sea Lions are hoping the passion from the rivalry (and CBU's national ranking) will have the crowds fired up when the Lancers come to town. Point Loma's ASB will pass out free Chick-fil-A sandwiches to the first 300 students wearing their PLNU gear, so Be Seen, Wear Your Green!
 
PLNU welcomes in the Military
PLNU Athletics will also be hosting its second annual Military Night. The Sea Lions will be honoring all former and active military members, and their admission to the game is free. There will be a pregame, on-court ceremony to honor members of the Wounded Warriors Project.  If you are a veteran or active military member and are interested in attending the game or participating in the ceremonies please contact Danny Barnts at dbarnts@pointloma.edu.
 
Follow along
If you are unable to attend this week's games, or any PacWest games this season, they will all be available for fans to follow on live stats and live video. Live stats will be free of charge while video stream will vary in price based on the venue. PLNU home games are $8.95 on a pay-per-view basis. To access both live stats and live video visit plnusealions.com/gameday.
 
A look at the Sea Lions
Point Loma has won three straight games to even its season record at 3-3. Losing its first two games in the final minutes, PLNU turned the tide and closed out each of its last two with strong performances late. The latest came against coach Ryan Looney's former team, Seattle Pacific. The Sea Lions were up throughout the game, but saw the Falcons cut their lead to four points with just over a minute remaining, but Josh Rodriguez sealed the game by hitting 5-of-6 free throws in the final 45 seconds.
 
Rodriguez leads the Sea Lions and ranks eighth in the PacWest with 18.8 points per game. He is also pacing the lead in assists (5.3) and is fifth in steals (1.7). Vince Boumann is leading the PacWest with 9.2 rebounds per game and is 16th in scoring (13.5 ppg).  He is shooting .630 percent from the field (second in PacWest). Tanner Lancona is third in the league with 1.5 blocks per game.
 
As a team, Point Loma is averaging 74.7 ppg (+1.2) and is outrebounding its opponents by 7.8 boards per game.  That rebounding margin ranks PLNU 25th in the country.  The Sea Lions are still looking for their first win against CBU in PacWest play (0-8).
 
A look at the Lancers
No. 4 California Baptist comes into the contest on a roll, having won its first six games of the season and outscoring its opponents by 16.0 ppg. The PacWest preseason favorite has gone 5-0 against NCAA West Regional opponents, however, all five games have been at home (and all six this season).  
 
Michael Smith leads the PacWest and ranks fourth in the country with 26.8 ppg. He is leading the country with 11 free throw attempts a game and is shooting 92.4 percent at the line (61-of-66). He is also averaging, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Kalidou Diouf is leading the nation in field goal percentage at 81.5 percent. He is averaging 19.8 ppg and 6.5 rebounds. As a team, CBU averages 86.7 ppg and outrebounds its opponents by +5.0 per game.
 
Next game
Point Loma will head up to Fresno, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 3 to face Fresno Pacific at 4 p.m. The Sunbirds are 0-5 this season.