HILO, HI- The Swords won a back and forth overtime battle with the Vulcans in front of a sellout crowd at UHH Gymnasium 98-94 in Pac West Conference action. Chaminade roared out to an early 16-4 lead, led by senior point guard
Steven Bennett (Los Angeles, CA/Dorsey) and quieted what would prove to be a boisterous crowd throughout the night.
The Vulcans battled back as senior Justin Smith proved to be an offensive force, helping UHH get back within striking distance. CUH led 45-36 at intermission.
The second half was more of the same, as Chaminade claimed another double-digit lead up 68-56 with under twelve minutes left, however, the Vulcans charged back, taking the lead at 79-78 with 3:38 left in regulation. The Swords found themselves down by three when junior De'Andre Haskins (Long Beach, CA/Jordan) hit a top of the key three to knot the score at 84-84 with twelve seconds left. UH-Hilo had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Justin Smiths jumper missed the mark and the Swords went into overtime.
Haskins hit a three to open up the overtime and the Swords never trailed again, despite repeated efforts from the Vulcans to gain the advantage. Junior
Chris Curtis (Tustin, CA/Tustin) sealed the victory, hitting both ends of a one and one to put CUH up four with just seconds left.
CUH guard
Dominique Cooks (Wollongong, AUS/ Holy Spirit College) was impressive in the win, tallying had 13 points and 7 rebounds and 1 assist in thirty eight minutes of action Junior
Matt Cousins (Santa Rosa, CA/Cardinal Newman) continues to bolster the Chaminade front line, adding 13 points and5 rebounds to the effort. Junior De'Andre Haskins (Long Beach, CA/Jordan) had 18 points and five rebounds.
Junior center
Mamadou Diarra, hampered with foul trouble throughout, still added 8 rebounds, 5 points and 2 blocks in the victory. All Pac West performer
Steven Bennett (Los Angeles, CA/Dorsey) had an incredible night, tallying 37 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, connecting on 11-22 shots, including 4-8 from three. The Swords as a team knocked down ten three's on the night, as Cooks and Haskins each had three.
The Swords dominated the glass over UH-Hilo 51-28. Senior
Shane Hanson (Canyon Lake, CA/Temescal Canyon) saw twenty-eight minutes of action, corralling six rebounds to go along with three points and an assist.
UH-Hilo was led by Justin Smith with 24 points, while Zach Wilde added 22.
Chaminade moves to 11-5 with the win, 4-0 in the Pac West. UH-Hilo goes to 12-4, (4-1 in the Pac West) with the defeat. The Swords are back in action at Grand Canyon on January 27th at 7:30 PM MT. The Antelopes are 8-6 and 3-1 in the Pac West. Following Grand Canyon the Swords play Dixie State on January 29th in St. George, UT.
