The Point Loma Nazarene University Sea Lions are off to a good start this season at 3-1, despite dropping a last-minute 94-93 overtime contest to Westminster College.
PLNU entered the season ranked 22nd in the NAIA and was picked to finish third in its conference. However, the Sea Lions defeated their first three opponents to open the 2007-08 season.
The Sea Lions won convincingly over Pacific Union College (104-67), Bethany (97-53) and Madonna University (98-70). The Sea Lions posted a winning record in 2006-07 (19-13) and a conference record of 10-10. PLNU made the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) playoffs but were eliminated in the semi-final round.
PLNU also played tough against San Diego’s two Division I schools, San Diego State University (SDSU) and the University of San Diego (USD), in exhibition play. The Sea Lions lost to SDSU 63-53 at Cox Arena but pulled within five points twice late in the game: first with over five minutes, then with just over minute to go in the game.
“I felt like we had a good showing against SDSU and that’s usually a good measuring tool,” said associate head coach Ethan Hamilton. “We were able to get within five points in the waning minutes of the game.”
Junior Brian Ormon was the leading scorer for PLNU with 20 points and also contributed 15 rebounds.
“We felt good about the SDSU game but I thought we could have played better if we didn’t make so many mistakes,” said senior guard and team captain Josh Sanderson.
The Sea Lions also played well in a 75-61 exhibition game loss to the USD Toreros at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Junior Curtis Carlson led PLNU with 20 points and 7 rebounds. “The USD game was the first time we got to play together as a team and I thought our showing was pretty good,” Sanderson said.
After a 19-13 playoff season last year, the Sea Lions’ roster underwent significant roster changes after losing key players to graduation. But the team was able to fill the gaps with eight transfer players this season.
“We are very excited about our team this year,” said Hamilton. “We have a good group of newcomers and a good core of players returning from last year.”
The transfers include juniors Craig Austin, Curtis Carlson, Eli Davis, Benny Kouchoie, Ormon, Austin Wilcox and sophomore Noble D’Shelton.
“The strength of our team is going be our depth, and we have a big, athletic team,” Hamilton said.
Sanderson, one of the returning players, is in agreement.
“In previous years we were undersized and not as athletic,” he said. “But this year we’ll be able to play better inside and get more rebounds.”
Sanderson also believes the chemistry of the team this season is going to be key.
“I feel good about our team this year,” he said. “Everyone seems to get along this year and all of our transfers have been able to contribute so far.”
Point Loma’s next opponent will be Olivet Nazarene (Illinois) on Saturday in their Homecoming game.
“We’ve moved on from the Westminster game and had a good practice,” Sanderson said. “We’re going to bounce back.”