Box Score HONOLULU, HI – The Swords faced a veteran opponent from Phoenix, AZ tonight in McCabe Gym. The 'Lopes of Grand Canyon gave CUH all they could handle before the Swords took the PacWest Conference home victory, 69-66 in OT.
Chaminade got off to a fast start leading 14-6 after
Bennie Murray (Fairfield, CA/Will C. Wood) and
Lee Bailey (Detroit, MI/Detroit Country Day) combined for back to back three's just minutes into the first half. Junior guard
Dominique Cooks (Wollongong, AUS/Holy Spirit) added a jumper and it was a ten-point lead (16-6) early on. Grand Canyon came all the way back as a four point play by junior Steven Morin gave GCU a 31-26 lead. Grand Canyon led 35-30 at the break. Bailey led the way with 9 points, 3 assists for Chaminade in the first twenty minutes of action.
The opening minutes of the second half saw Chaminade regain the lead 38-37 on an impressive spinning drive by
Lee Bailey. The game remained close, with Chaminade holding a two-point lead at 52-50 with 7:35 remaining. The conference battle stayed tight as the score was tied at 55-55 with 2:03 remaining. The game could not be settled in regulation, as both teams squandered their last possessions to head to OT tied at 61 apiece.
The Swords and 'Lopes battled in overtime, as Chaminade went up three on a
Matt Cousins layup with under thirty seconds remaining. GCU's Nick Witherill missed on a three-point attempt to tie the game and the Swords left with the 69-66 win.
Four players scored in double figures for the Swords.
Rickey Clayborn (Chicago, IL/ E, Chicago) and
Matt Cousins (Santa Rosa, CA/Cardinal Newman) were dominant inside for Chaminade, combining for 25 points to go along with 23 rebounds. CUH guard
Bennie Murray, (Fairfield, CA/Will C. Wood)) added 16 points and 3 rebounds.
Lee Bailey tallied 15 points along with 6 assists in victory.
The Swords won the rebounding battle 44-31. Chaminade shot 43% from the floor while Grand Canyon shot 35% for the contest.
GCU was led by Steve Morin with 16 points.
Chaminade is back at home against Dixie State on February 1st in McCabe Gymnasium. Tip is set for 7:30 PM HT.
With the win, the Swords move to 9-6, 7-1 in PWC while Grand Canyon moves to 10-7, 4-5 in the PWC.
