In a neck-and-neck PacWest Conference opener on Tuesday, the Chaminade University Silverswords men’s basketball team came out on top with a 71-68 win against hometown rivals Hawaii Pacific University at the Shark Tank on statewide Spectrum Sports television.
“Since it was our first game of conference, we wanted to set the tone for the rest of conference,” said Roland Banks, a Chaminade senior guard who had 9 points and 4 steals in the win. “It’s a good win. It’s a good kick start to get us rolling.”
Chaminade (3-4 overall, 1-0 PacWest) snapped a three-game losing streak (all against Division I competition in the Maui Invitational) with the win, while HPU fell to 3-2 overall (0-1 PacWest).
The game was a close affair as the score was tied four times and the lead changed hands six times. In the first half, both teams led by 5 points, but Chaminade fought to get a 13-point lead midway through the second half.
Junior forward Nate Sasser III was a huge contributor to the Swords lead going on a 8-point-solo-run completely shifting the momentum to the Swords causing HPU to call a timeout.
However, HPU took over and took the lead with 2:53 left in the game. HPU senior guard Quinton McCollough led his team with 17 points and 14 rebounds to keep the Sharks in the game. But Chaminade outscored the Sharks 6-2 to end the game, starting with senior Kris King’s layup and free throw to take the lead for good.
HPU was limited to just 36 percent shooting from the floor, while Chaminade shot a more efficient 41.7 percent and finished with 11 assists, highlighting the Silverswords’ balanced offensive execution against the Sharks.
“Basketball is a game of runs,” said Kent King, who led Chaminade with 17 points and 9 rebounds. “We made a run. They made a run, and we responded well. Staying sharp and staying ready was key and helped us win tonight.”
Chaminade’s Nathan Medina and Fletcher MacDonald contributed 13 points and 10 points, respectively.
“It really came down the clutch time,” said Chaminade head coach Eric Bovaird. “Our guys really stepped up and got the defensive stops and rebounds and knocked down free throws and executed offensively.”
HPU is known for its high-intensity home gym atmosphere, and the Shark Tank was no different Tuesday night, packed with energy, noise, and rivalry intensity from tipoff to the final buzzer.
“I had a lot of energy. I went to come play hard ’cause it was a full crowd and they turned me up,” said Banks. “So focusing on mentally preparing to come like we do and being able to play how we play.”
Chaminade and HPU have split their two matchups the past four seasons, but the Silverswords lead the all-time matchups 40-23.
“I hope they take this win with incredible positivity and energy because this is a heck of a win to beat a rival on the road on a televised game,” Bovaird said.
The Silverswords will next head over to the Big Island to play Hawai’i Hilo on Saturday with the tipoff set at 7 p.m.