All it took was 90 seconds for utter chaos to break out during one of college basketball's best traditions: Taylor University's Silent Night game.
The game is a pre-Christmas tradition at Taylor University which dates back to the 1990s. Students and fans stay quiet until their team scores their 10th point. Then, students burst into celebration, storming the court while the referees and opposing players try to get out of the way.
On Friday, Taylor needed less than 90 seconds to get out to a 10-0 lead against Moody Bible Institute. A transition dunk from junior forward Nate Paarlberg was Taylor's 10th point of the night and ignited the mayhem.
Four possessions in 1 min and 28 seconds is ALL it took for the silence to turn into chaos!! @taylor_hoops @taylortrojans pic.twitter.com/PMYuve5jST
— NAIA Hoops Report (@NAIAHoopsReport) December 6, 2024
The Trojans break the silence! In under 90 seconds, a Paarlberg Slam sends the crowd into a frenzy!💥📣 #TUSilentNight pic.twitter.com/NKI6O3Iv24
— Taylor Trojans (@taylortrojans) December 6, 2024
To add to the Silent Night fun, students deck themselves out in clever costumes, normally as part of a smaller groups. This year, the Taylor University faithful didn't disappoint. A group of students at the Indiana-based university dressed as Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Silent Night, but make it @CaitlinClark22. 🤫🏀#tayloruniversity #tusilentnight #tulifetothefull pic.twitter.com/PxZD3hlI1Z
— Taylor University (@tayloru) December 6, 2024
They even got to hit the hardwood during a media timeout in an impromptu Caitlin Clark-off. The stadium erupted when one of the many Clarks knocked down a three, à la the real Caitlin Clark.
Caitlin Clark balled out during the Media Timeout at #TUSilentNight 🏀⛹️♀️💦 pic.twitter.com/DSjCYvqjwU
— Taylor Trojans (@taylortrojans) December 7, 2024
Plenty of other groups of students got together to show off their unique costumes, too, all adding to Friday's entertaining scene.
The most creative students reside in Upland, IN 🎨#TUSilentNight pic.twitter.com/deMlUwHkjv
— Taylor Trojans (@taylortrojans) December 6, 2024
Taylor's lead held through the game as they routed Moody 107-59. The Trojans advanced to 26-1 all-time in Silent Night games.
In the final minutes of the game, to add to the tradition, fans sway together as they sing Silent Night, the Christmas carol that inspired one of basketball's best yearly moments.
🎶Silent Night, Holy Night🎶 a beautiful choir here at #TUSilentNight pic.twitter.com/3CJ5b4Xwzy
— Taylor Trojans (@taylortrojans) December 7, 2024
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Taylor University Needed Just 90 Seconds to Erupt Into Chaos for Silent Night Game.
