Colorful ‘Silent Night’ court-storming returns with two-handed slam

It’s Christmastime at Taylor University in Upland, Ind. Friday night marked the last game of the fall semester before finals, and the student body came out — clad in a dazzling mix of light blue, green, orange, pink and every other color of the rainbow.

Groups dressed as Loraxes. Others were Flintstones. Many wore suits and ties. Even a few SpongeBobs and Patricks showed up in a menagerie of costumes and colors.

The game began, but the student section remained utterly silent.

Scoring began, but no cheers were heard.

Then, junior Pete Combs dunked for the Trojans’ 10th point. Within seconds, the court was flooded, with players dashing toward the scorer’s table to get away from the oncoming mob. The student section burst to life, and much of the crowd of 2,217 emptied onto the floor in a jubilant rush.

This is the “Silent Night” tradition at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

Students don Christmas-colored attire and remain silent until the tenth point of the game is scored. They then rush the court.

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This moment has come to define Taylor’s decades-long “Silent Night” tradition. The custom dates to 1980, when students first attended the final basketball game of the fall semester in their pajamas. In 1997, the school began allowing a full-blown court rush once the 10th point was scored. Over the years, the pajamas gave way to elaborate and wildly creative costumes.

No technical foul is assessed for the 10th-point celebration. Instead, a media timeout is issued immediately after Taylor scores its 10th point, the NAIA school’s website says. After officials cleared the court — and called a timeout — the cheering began in earnest.

Fans witnessed a 118-33 Trojans blowout over Moody Bible of Chicago on Friday night. In the final two minutes, Pharaohs, Loraxes and an array of costumed characters locked arms, swaying together as they sang “Silent Night” to close out the contest.

The festive environment traditionally continues after the game with students attending a university-sponsored Christmas party, according to the Christian school.

Since 1997, except for 2020 when the game was canceled due to COVID, the “Silent Night” matchup has been held every fall on the last Friday before finals. Over that span, Taylor has amassed a 27-1 record in “Silent Night” games.

Taylor University students prepare to storm the court at a men’s basketball game on Dec. 5, 2025, in Upland, Ind. (Mallory Dotson/Courtesy of Taylor University)