Box Score HONOLULU, HI–Chaminade earned a tough win tonight, defeating the Cougars of Azusa Pacific 81-74 in McCabe Gym.
The Cougars got off to a quick start against the red-hot Silverswords, leading 7-0 just a minute and a half into the contest. CUH responded quickly cutting the lead to 12-10 just minutes later. Senior guard De'Andre Haskins (Long Beach, CA/Jordan) was responsible for seven of Chaminade's first ten points.
APU jumped out again, leading 27-14 with 12:03 left in the first half. The Swords responded with an 11-2 run to cut the lead to 29-25 with just under nine minutes remaining in the half. The intensity of the first half matched the lateness in the regular season, as Azusa Pacific looked to help damage Chaminade's chances at an NCAA Regional berth.
The Swords were led by De'Andre Haskins with 9 points and 6 rebounds. Troy Leaf led Azusa Pacific with 14 points. The Cougars connected on six first half threes and shot 52% from the floor. Chaminade made just 3-16 attempts from three and shot 31% from the field. Senior
Waly Coulibaly (Bamako, Mali/Patterson Prep) added 7 first half points.
The tide turned after the break as Chaminade stormed out in the second half (including an 18-0 run) and led 64-53 with 10:05 left in the contest. The Swords were helped by twelve second half points from
Bennie Murray (Fairfield, CA/ Will C. Wood) in the first eight minutes of action. The rest of the half remained highly competitive, as Azusa Pacific cut the lead to five points at 73-68 with two minutes left. APU cut the lead again, trailing 75-71 with 46 seconds left in the contest. CUH held on down the stretch for an 81-74 conference victory.
Murray led Chaminade with 20 points, while Haskins had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The Swords shot extremely well from three in the second half, going 7-11 from three (64%). The battle of the glass was even, 41-41.
Azusa Pacific was led by Troy Leaf with 27 points, 9 rebounds.
The Swords move to 16-8 on the year and 13-3 in the PacWest with the win. The Cougars fall to 10-13, 7-8 in the PacWest on the year with the loss. Chaminade is back on the road at UH-Hilo in PacWest Conference action on February 26
th. Tip is set for 7:30 PM HT in the UH-Hilo Gym.
