Men’s basketball loses in OT against UH

The Chaminade University men’s basketball team blew a 22-point lead in the first half against Division I University of Hawaii and eventually fell 101-96 in overtime in a game that seemed more like a conference qualifier than an exhibition contest.

Chaminade surged out to that unlikely 22-point cushion midway through the first half thanks in part to junior guard Kuany Kuany and junior guard Kiran Shastri, who combined to score 18 points during Chaminade’s 27-6 run.

But it wouldn’t last. And the UH Rainbow Warriors outscored the Silverswords 69-53 in the second half and overtime.

“It was hard to be up by 20 and see it slip away at the end by things we could control,” Kuany said. “Execution is what we need to work (on) to solidify wins in the future. It was good to see and be able to compete at the end, even though the outcome is not what we wanted.”

Chaminade had six players with double-digit scoring with a game high by Shastri with 20 points, nine of which were from behind the 3-point arc. Kuany finished with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Grand Canyon transfer Sam Daly had 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals coming off the bench. Junior guard Rohndell Goodwin pitched in with 11 points and seven rebounds and seniors Kevin Hu and Oscar Pedroso each scored 10 points.

“We have about 12 guys on our lineup that on any given night could really shine for us,” said CUH coach Eric Bovaird.

UH had five players in double-digit scoring, but a game-high performance by senior guard Aaron Valdes with 31 points and 14 rebounds.

“I want to give credit to Chaminade,” said first-year UH coach Eran Ganot in the press conference after the game. “… They came out ready to roll and put us in the position we were in.”

Chaminade’s versatility showed with the bench players. CUH’s bench crushed UH’s by scoring 40 points while UH only had 17 points off the bench. Daly had 18 of those points on his own along Pedroso with 10.

“Everyone played well overall and goes to show how our hard work during preseason will pay off as the season progresses,” said Kuany.

Chaminade was fortunate to make it to overtime after trailing by three points with 50 seconds to play. Daly’s drive and layup with six seconds left forced overtime, much to the delight of a small but vocal Chaminade cheering section.

“We try to instill in them to not back down from anybody, we are going to come, compete and execute,” said Bovaird. “The one thing we can’t let falter is the effort and we had the effort tonight.”

UH scored the first basket of overtime and never looked back.

Three Chaminade starters — Kuany, Hu and Goodwin — all fouled out of the game.

“Last night’s game was tough, we had a good start but didn’t finish down the stretch,” Kuany said. “It was an eye opener to see how good we can be if we play together as a team.”

Chaminade will play its season opener on Friday, Nov. 13, against Alaska Anchorage in Fairbanks.