HONOLULU – The Chaminade University men's basketball team got a pair of 20-point performances from
Kevin Hu and
Kuany Kuany, but it wasn't enough as the Silverswords dropped a 93-83 decision to Point Loma Saturday at McCabe Gym.
The loss dropped Chaminade to 4-6 overall and 1-3 in the Pacific West Conference, their third straight loss in league play.
Hu scored 23 points, a new career-high, on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor, including a pair of 3-pointers. Kuany had a season-high 20 points while falling a rebound shy of his second double-double of the season.
Lee Bailey and
Kiran Shastri contributed with 15 points each. Bailey also had four assists while Shastri knocked down three 3-pointers.
But it was the Sea Lions (8-2 overall, 2-2 PacWest) who had the hot hand on the night, shooting a blistering 62.4 percent from the floor, including burying 10-of-15 from 3-point range.
Hayden Lescault, an All-PacWest Preseason selection who had struggled for most of the season, exploded for a season-high 21 points, hitting 8-of-12 from the floor as well as a trio of triples for the visitors. He also dished out six assists. Sam Okhotin contributed with 16 points.
On the night, PLNU's starters were an impressive 22-of-42 from the floor. And although the Sea Lions' bench accounted for only 17 points, they made the most of their attempts, going a collective 8-for-11 in the field. No Point Loma player had worse than a 50 percent shooting night.
The Silverswords dug themselves an early hole, trailing 13-4 just six minutes into the game. Shastri and Kuany combined for eight points as Chaminade closed to within three. But PLNU widened the game, grabbing a double-digit lead with just under four minutes remaining in the half. Point Loma enjoyed a 46-33 lead heading into the locker room at the half.
The Sea Lions shot a staggering 18-of-26 from the floor in the first half for 69 percent.
After halftime, the Sea Lions built their lead to 54-40 at the 17:15 mark. But a 10-0 run 'Swords run capped by Bailey's 3-point play put them right back into the game and
Oscar Pedroso drilled his first two 3-pointers of the season to help chop the Silverswords' deficit to two. After a Point Loma bucket, Kuany replied with a layup to again shave the deficit to within a deuce at 64-62 with 11:10 left.
After the teams exchanged buckets, Judd Welfringer's 3-point play ignited a key 14-4 Sea Lions run that helped put the game away. The Sea Lions' exceptional shooting continued in the second half, hitting 59 percent of their field goals. The Silverswords did manage to hold their own in the second half, shooting at a 56.7 percent clip.
Chaminade held the rebounding advantage, 28-24, but had only nine assists to Point Loma's 16. The Silverswords were also able to get to the foul line, hitting 20-of-25 free throws with Kuany himself going 9-for-10.
The Silverswords return to action Tuesday when they host Dixie State at McCabe Gym. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. with live streaming audio coverage available on GoSwords.com.
