HONOLULU – A year ago, the Chaminade University women's basketball team nearly pulled off their first-ever Mainland on the road in St. George, Utah. Tuesday in McCabe Gym, the Silverswords came close to capturing their first-ever win against Dixie State.
The 'Swords built a large first half lead, but were unable to get key baskets they needed in the second as the Red Storm rallied, then held off a late charge in Chaminade's 75-68 loss.
Katie Buskey tied a season-high with 15 points to lead four Silverswords with double-digit scoring.
Lilia Maio and
Kennedi Akana also tied season-highs with 14 points each while
Kristle Henry contributed with 11, as the Silverswords fell to 0-9 overall and 0-5 in the Pacific West Conference.
Henry also had seven rebounds and five assists while Akana pulled down nine boards.
Leslie Tademy and Taylor Mann each had 16 points to lead the Red Strom. Mann also pulled down 13 rebounds while Taylor Maynes had 10.
Chaminade came out of the gate with energy, holding the Red Storm without a field goal for the game's first three minutes, as the Silverswords owned a 15-3 advantage. The 'Swords got balanced scoring in the run with six points from Maio, four from Henry and three by Buskey.
The Red Storm slowly chipped away at their deficit, coming to within 25-17 with nine minutes left in the half. Akana's layup took the lead back to double digits at 27-17, but a DSU surge reduced Chaminade's lead to 36-34 with just over a minute left before the break. Maio's bucket put the Silverswords up, 38-34, ensuring they would own the lead at halftime.
The Silverswords shot over 46 percent from the floor in the first half as they never trailed during the first 20 minutes. Conversely, the Red Storm was held to only 31 percent from the field.
But the opening of the second half saw Dixie State catch the home team. Haleigh Emerine's basket gave DSU a 40-38 lead, its first of the game and its lead continued to grow. Chaminade finally stopped the bleeding of DSU's 9-0 run on Henry's layup.
Dixie's lead expanded to 47-40 before Chaminade's 11-4 run capped by Buskey's 17-foot straight away jumper tied it at 51 with 9:48 left. A DSU 3-point play gave it a 54-51 lead but Florita's 3-pointer from the right wing again tied it, this time at 54-all.
However, the game's decisive run came courtesy of Dixie State. Chaminade was held to only two buckets over the next six minutes as the Red Storm out-scored the Silverswords, 16-4, to pull away. However, Chaminade made one last push as an 8-0 run brought it to within 70-66 with 49 seconds left. Dixie State held off the Silverswords by hitting 5-of-6 free throws to extinguish the threat.
Chaminade was held to only 9-of-30 (30 percent) in the second half while DSU was 15-of-37 (40.5 percent). Chaminade, which had been battered on the boards all season, was only out-rebounded, 48-43.
The 'Swords conclude their home stand Thursday against Fresno Pacific. Live streaming audio will be available at GoSwords.com.
