Season Opener and Tailgate Men’s Basketball Big Game
Heat on November 4th at the Season Opener of our Men’s Big Basketball Game
For weeks, Pacific students have been waiting for the men’s basketball game, when they open with their first game of the season. This enthralling event happened on November 4th. It was a game and a moment that brought together many students from the university to cheer on the team with the orange and black colors. The student body and beyond supported the athletes on the court and each other throughout the four quarters.
On this occasion, the men’s basketball team found itself in a challenge against Jessup University. The game on the long-awaited November 4th started at 7pm. It began with all the students and families on the stage cheering on the team. As always on the big screen the crowd was able to see the men’s basketball representatives shining in a video where, accompanied by music and fun, they made themselves known.
Then, everyone paid tribute to Myke Scholl, who joined the men’s basketball program as an assistant coach in April of this year. All students, players, and teachers stood up from their seats for the tribute of respect and appreciation. At the end of the tribute, the national anthem was sung, and everyone stood with their hands on their chest paying respect to the national flag. At the end of the anthem, the referee blew his whistle, and the most anticipated match of the year began.
The game began with the encouragement of head coach Dave Smart, who from his position directs the team and gives them words of encouragement throughout the game. The team started playing positioned under the backboard, while Jessup University was ahead, in a game where adrenaline was not lacking, the voices of the entire stadium could be heard encouraging our team not to give up.
Successfully, the basketball team managed to turn the game around and take the lead. The players were focused on the game, and from half-court shots to trap dribbles, our team began to shine on the court. Even though the team was just playing in the first half, we began to have a big advantage over the other team.
The match continued its course, and there was no way the other team could get ahead. There were some changes among the players, but the Pacific team continued to play a clean and exemplary game that kept all the spectators attentive and amazed at the way they were representing us as a university on the field.
At half-time, there were games to guess the song, which was a moment of distraction for all the crowd. Around the court, there were food stalls and different raffles and games that turned this big game into a moment of fun and entertainment. The most amazing moment of the night, apart from the wonderful game by the basketball players, was the routine that our university's cheerleaders presented. Everyone was amazed by the acrobatics and routine that they demonstrated.
Jessica Haas, who is the first speed painter in America and the winner of ABC's new talent show, surprised us with her incredible performance at halftime. Accompanied by music and a spectacular costume, she painted a picture with our tiger stamp live in less than 10 minutes. November 4th was truly a spectacle.
As the second half began, our team still had a big lead. Little by little, Jessup University tried to catch up with our Pacific team, but the men’s basketball team managed to come out victorious, showing their best plays and playing as a team. In the end, our team beat them 92 – 65. Pacific had a great victory at home.
The player of the game was Lamar Washington, who broke the college record for most assists in a game. These guys never cease to amaze the crowd, the motivation and the expectations after this game to continue watching them during this new season and cheer them on in this journey remain standing and intact. Go Tigers!