Basketball Teams Excite MADNESS Crowd

ATHLETICS | Fans packed Gersten Pavilion on Thursday night for MADNESS, the annual kickoff party for the LMU men’s and women’s basketball seasons. For the first time, the players, fans, and coaches were split in an all-out challenge to determine which section of fans will be awarded with a future tailgate party. The Blue team won the challenge, but all in attendance walked away happy after receiving giveaways, food, and entertainment.

Both men’s and women’s basketball teams landed players on preseason all-West Coast Conference teams. The reigning WCC Newcomer of the Year and first-team all-conference player, Gabby Green, was recognized on Wednesday. On the men’s side, James Batemon, was named to the men’s preseason all-conference team following a strong junior year that ended with his inclusion on the conference’s all-tournament team in March. Single game tickets went on sale last week with the first official games coming as a home double-header on Nov. 6.

Senior swimmer Keara Reilly won the 1,650 freestyle on Friday as part of the first of two double dual meets against Grand Canyon and Seattle University at Brophy College Preparatory school in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lions would eventually drop decisions to both squads – 136-66 to GCU, and 109-93 to Seattle. Reilly won the race in 18:18.32, followed a pair of GCU swimmers and two from Seattle U to round out the top-five. She would later take fourth overall in the 500 freestyle (5:26.35), two places behind teammate Lauren Akin at 5:22.37. Closing consecutive dual meets on Saturday, LMU swimming posted a win over Seattle University, 110-94.

Also in the pool, the men’s water polo team played in the Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament in Santa Clara. With one second on the clock, LMU scored the game-winning goal to defeat St. Francis, 12-11, on Friday. Neither team held more than a two- goal lead before Joseph Shaw scored the winning goal.

Six home events are scheduled on the bluff between Thursday and Sunday, including the women’s volleyball team returning home to take on San Francisco on Thursday at 7 p.m., then hosting Santa Clara on Saturday at 1 p.m. for the Pride in Pink match.

The men’s soccer team hosts a pair of conference games for the first time this season. Pacific visits Sullivan Field on Friday at 7 p.m., then Sunday’s matchup against St. Mary’s will kick off at 2 p.m. LMU faculty and staff, as well as Student Housing will be recognized at Friday’s game. The 2010 and 2013 WCC championship teams will be recognized at halftime of Sunday’s game.

The men’s water polo team hosts their final two home games of the season on Thursday and Sunday. Cal Baptist comes to LMU for a weekday conference special, starting at 3 p.m., and Princeton marks senior day for LMU on Sunday at 10 a.m., with alumni, SAAC, Greek Life, and Student Housing all scheduled to join the crowd.

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