SAN DIEGO---Inside a rocking Golden Gymnasium, and San Diego County, that had been deprived of fan-filled basketball for over 20 months, the Point Loma Sea Lions knocked down the Division I Pepperdine Waves 77-50 in an exhibition Saturday night.

It's the first win for Point Loma against a Division I opponent since January 6^th, 2003 when the, then NAIA, Sea Lions beat Loyola Marymount 73-71.

Point Loma completed the feat, thanks in large part, to an electric environment from the moment they hit the floor.

"When we walked in, it was unreal." Point Loma junior Brock Mackenzie said. "Hear that roar, with those fans. To see how the community and the school came together. The freshman got a treat tonight. I haven't had that environment since my freshman year."

But the playing was pretty great, too.

The Sea Lions raced out in front as Kaden Anderson hit the game's first basket and Point Loma took a 9-0 lead before Pepperdine was forced to take a timeout.

Ben Okhotin hit a couple of three's to solidify a 14-0 start prior to the first media timeout.

The Sea Lions held Pepperdine scoreless for the first five minutes before the Waves hit a three from the top of the key and followed up with a layup to trim Point Loma's lead to nine.

Mackenzie ended the run with a pull up jumper from the right elbow as time was winding down on the shot clock. Luke Haupt followed it with a drive to the basket, laying it in to push the lead back to eleven at 18-7.

After Pepperdine had trimmed the Point Loma lead to 20-10, Brian Goracke hit a three from the right wing to reset the advantage to thirteen at 23-10. Goracke then drew a three-point opportunity driving to the basket for a layup and completing the free throw.

Trey Anderson extended the Sea Lion's largest lead to 29-13 with a three from the right corner, just before the under eight timeout.

Pepperdine scored the next ten points, cutting the Point Loma lead to six, before a Coby Barnes floater stopped the run.

After a Pepperdine bucket, Haupt hit a three from the right corner and delivered a layup, pushing the lead back to nine.

Mackenzie's three put the lead back to twelve. After another basket by the Waves, Haupt's layup as time expired in the half gave Point Loma a 42-28 lead at the half.

Point Loma started hot in the second half as well with Okhotin hitting a jumper and Myles Franklin nailing a three swelling the lead to 19.

Mackenzie then hit consecutive baskets giving the Sea Lions a 23 point lead. The lead would grow to as much as 29 in the second half.

Haupt led all scorers with 18 points, adding 10 rebounds for the double-double. Goracke added 13 and Myles Franklin rounded out Point Loma's scorers in double-figures with 12 points.

"For us it just shows all the work we've been putting in," Haupt said. "We came out there and played like a family. I also want to thank the Green Sea and San Diego Country for supporting the way they did. That was one of the most exciting atmospheres that I've ever played in."

Eleven different Sea Lions scored at least one field goal.

Despite dealing with the size and physicality of the Waves, Point Loma was only outrebounded by one (34-35) but managed to gain the edge on the offensive glass.

The Sea Lions weathered the difference with scoring from the outside, as Point Loma hit nine three's, including a 6 of 16 mark (37.5%) in the first half. Franklin, Haupt and Okhotin each hit two from deep.

Point Loma never trailed and the Sea Lions led for the final 39 minutes and 38 seconds.

As great as the momentum, and energy inside of Golden Gymnasium was Saturday, the Sea Lions will still start the season 0-0 when they travel up to Fresno on Friday, November 12^th at 5:30 to play Stanislaus State.