Box Score HONOLULU – Friday night, it was transfer
Christophe Varidel who made a splashing debut. Saturday night, it was freshman
Kiran Shastri's turn, marking the second consecutive game a Silversword newcomer has dazzled the McCabe Gym crowd.
With Varidel out due to injury, Shastri came off the bench and promptly hit 6-of-10 3-pointers, on his way to a game-high 21 point outburst to lead the Swords to an 82-63 win over Saint Martin's in the final night of the PacWest/GNAC Challenge.
Chaminade improved to 2-0 on the year while the Saints fell to 1-1. The win also ran the Swords' mark to 8-0 in the Challenge since 2010.
Rhys Murphy had 13 points and five rebounds for CUH while
AJ Mathew had 10.
Lee Bailey had 11 points, five assists and four rebounds. The Swords also took care of the ball, committing only five turnovers to Saint Martin's 14.
Evan Coulter led the Saints with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor.
Saint Martin's led early, but the Swords eventually took the lead midway through the first half with some help by Shastri's 15 first-half points, including four 3-pointers.
Chaminade exploded out of the second half gate, going on an 18-4 run to extend the lead to 22 at 54-32, capped off by Shastri's 25-footer from the left wing.
Saint Martin's chipped away to bring the deficit to within single digits at 64-55 with five minutes remaining, but
Tyree Harrison's 3-point play, followed by Murphy's thunderous left-handed dunk over a Saints' defender brought the McCabe crowd back to life and quelled the threat.
Both teams were near even in field goals made and attempted, rebounds and assists. But three big differences were 3-point shooting (9-to-4), free throws (25-of-40 to 13-of-20) and turnovers.
The Swords will have the next 15 days off before heading to the Valley Island for the always daunting EA Sports Maui Invitational. Chaminade draws No. 25 Baylor in their opener on Monday, Nov. 25 at 4:30 p.m. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPNU.
