This week
One of the best rivalries in the PacWest will be renewed this Thursday (Dec. 1) when the Point Loma women's basketball team welcomes in No. 10 California Baptist for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff. CBU is the top ranked team in the PacWest and was picked as the preseason favorite by the conference coaches. This will second straight season CBU will come into Golden Gym as a top 10 team (ranked No. 4 in 2015-16).
#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. PLNU fans and students are encouraged to wear their Point Loma gear, especially green, 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. Before the men's game, 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 is 5-1 on the season, and 4-0 at home, and has climbed into the 'receiving votes' category in the latest WBCA poll. Last week, it split a pair of games against members of the California Collegiate Athletic Association. PLNU lost its first game of the season to Cal State LA, 48-44, in its lowest scoring output since playing the Golden Eagles last year. The Sea Lions have lost their first game of the season to CSULA each of the past two seasons. However, PLNU did not dwell on that loss long as it bounced back on Saturday to defeat Cal State Dominguez Hills, 81-70. This was the second meeting of the teams already this season, and Point Loma was the victor in both contests.
Alex Brunk leads five Sea Lions averaging double-figures with 13.0 ppg.
Roya Rustamzada is nearly averaging a double-double with 11.2 ppg and 9.5 rebounds. She has posted four double-doubles in six games already this season to match her career-high and rank seventh in the country.
Madison West is pacing the PacWest with a 45.7 percent 3-point shooting percentage. She has connected on 16-of-35 shots from beyond the arc and is just five treys away from breaking the school's career record.
Kassidy Gengenbacher is coming off the bench with 12.5 ppg while leading the team with a 51.0 field goal percentage.
Sydney Tonack leads the Sea Lions at the charity stripe. She has hit 14-of-17 at the free throw line and is averaging 11.8 ppg.
As a team, PLNU is leading the PacWest is some very important categories. The Sea Lions have the best field goal percentage defense (35.5 percent), scoring defense (57.2 ppg) and fewest turnovers per game (13.7). That has led to the Sea Lions outscoring its opponents by 11.3 ppg.
A look at the Lancers
No. 10 CBU comes into the contest riding a four-game winning streak with a record of 7-2. They have gone 6-1 against West Region opponents this year. Both their losses came to unranked team, with the latest coming against UC San Diego (82-74). The Lancers average 81.9 ppg, and are outscoring their opponents by 11.8 ppg.
Cassidy Mihalko leads four Lancers in double-figures with 19.8 ppg. She is shooting 55.6 percent from the field and also averages 7.0 rebounds. Kamille Diaz is putting up 14.0 ppg while dishing out 4.5 assists. Courtney nelson (12.3 ppg) and Tori Mitchell (10.2 ppg) are also in double-figures. PLNU will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak against the Lancers.
Next game
Point Loma will head up to Fresno, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 3 to face Fresno Pacific at 2 p.m. The Sunbirds are 2-4 this season.
