Box Score HONOLULU, HI– The Swords took on #6 ranked and defending NCAA Division II National Champion Western Washington in a high-level contest tonight in McCabe Gym. A frenetic pace was apparent from the outset as both teams showed both skill and intensity early on.
The Vikings laid claim to an early lead, but a three-point basket by sophomore guard
Lee Bailey (Detroit, MI/Detroit Country Day) made the score 26-22 midway through the first half. The contest continued at the same fast pace for the remainder of the half as the Vikings held a 50-40 halftime advantage. A quick 8-1 Western Washington run late in the half helped the Vikings own the ten point halftime advantage. Senior guard
Bennie Murray (Fairfield, CA/Will C. Wood) helped keep the Silverswords close with 9 first half points along with 5 rebounds. Freshman
Kevin Hu (Taipei, Taiwan/Songsan) was impressive off the bench with 9 points at the break.
Dominique Cooks (Wollongong, Australia/Holy Spirit) added 8 points.
Western Washington shot 59% from the floor in the first half while Chaminade held an advantage on the glass, out-rebounding the Vikings in the first half, 22-19, including 10 offensive rebounds.
WWU looked to put CUH away early in the second half with an 8-0 run to start the half, but Chaminade responded to cut the lead back to 13 at 60-47 with 16:15 left. The Vikings had the lead back to fifteen points at 73-58, but freshman
Kevin Hu nailed back to back threes to cut the lead to 9 points. The contest remained tight at the final media timeout, as CUH trailed 79-71.
The Swords pushed, but Western Washington made some key baskets down the stretch to win 93-83. Chaminade struggled at the free throw line, shooting 48% (15-31). Murray led Chaminade with 17 points, while
Kevin Hu had a career-high 16 points in defeat.
Chaminade shot 27% from three (8-30) and lost the rebounding battle 47-37. The Swords full-court defense was tough, pressuring WWU into 20 turnovers.
Chris Mitchell, Rico Wilkins and Cameron Severson led Western Washington with 17 points each.
Chaminade is back in action on November 19
th at the 2012 EA Sports Maui Invitational. The Swords will face Texas at 4:30 PM HT at the Lahaina Civic Center. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
