COSTA RICA – The University of Redlands Men's Basketball team set off for their International Tour a few days ago traveling to Costa Rica and despite only being in the country a few days have been busy taking part in a community service project, playing their first game and hiking to the La Paz Animal Sanctuary. 

The Bulldogs arrived in Costa Rica on Thursday and after checking in at the hotel went to a school for a community service project, which helps serve under privileged youth. This school includes at-risk children who have parents who are unemployed, in gangs, while some don't have parents.  The program coordinators said "typically they see a lot of these students end up in gangs, face early teenage pregnancy, and other issues." The travel party was able to conduct activities with them, which included games, taught them leadership skills and English, while being taught a little Spanish by the children. Overall it was an amazing experience for the Bulldogs.

Redlands hit the court for their first game of the tour taking on a professional team from the country.  The game went as well as UR could have asked for, jumping out to an early 21-8 lead and maintaining a 15-20 point advantage the rest of the first half.  In the third quarter the Bulldogs went on a big run and pushed the lead to 30 and never looked back.  The final score ended up being 104-71 beating a team, who a day prior took down Division II Nebraska-Kearney.  In the game Head Coach Eric Bridgeland received great contributions from everyone as UR showcased a balanced attack.  The lowest scorer for Redlands had 8-10 points.     

The second day of the trip the team hiked up to the La Paz Animal Sanctuary and Waterfalls where they were able to learn more about the different species of animals in Costa Rica, while seeing the beauty the country has to offer.

More updates on the University of Redlands Men's Basketball International Tour to Costa Rica to be posted soon!