HONOLULU – The Chaminade University men's basketball team picked up its first win of the year but had to do it in overtime to do so.
Kiran Shastri hit seven 3-pointers and a team-high 25 points while
Kuany Kuany and
Rohndell Goodwin nearly posted triple-doubles as the Silverswords outlasted Cal State San Marcos 110-109 in overtime Saturday at McCabe Gym in Chaminade's home opener.
Kuany was one assist shy away from the achievement (16 points, 11 rebounds) while Goodwin fell short by two dimes (20 points, 12 boards) as the 'Swords improved to 1-5.
Sam Daly contributed with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.
The Cougars (2-3) were led by Darnell Taylor who poured in 30 points while Taran Brown made seven triples for 27 points.
The 110 points is the most in the
Eric Bovaird era and the most by the Silverswords since putting up 114 in a win over Grand Canyon in Feb. 2006.
For the first eight minutes, it appeared Chaminade was using what it learned in its last three games against Division I opponents in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational as it raced out to a 24-7 lead as all five starters scored. Cal State San Marcos used a 10-3 run and got to within five at 35-30 before Shastri buried a pair of triples towards the end of the half to give the Silverswords a 48-37 halftime lead.
The numbers at the end of the first 20 minutes favored the home team in field goals (18-13), rebounds (19-12) and assists (15-5). Chaminade hit 58 percent of its shots (18-of-31) while Cal State San Marcos was 43 percent (13-of-30).
The 'Swords were able to sustain a double-digit lead until the 8-minute mark of the second half. With Chaminade leading 82-73 with 6:29 left, the Cougars went on a 10-0 run, taking the lead on Tanner Waldrip's layup with four minutes left.
Kevin Hu (13 points) hit two free throws to get the lead back for the Silverswords who got the advantage back to four but Taylor hit two free throws then off a 'Swords turnover, converted a layup with 21 seconds left to help send the game into overtime.
In the extra frame, the lead changed hands six times in the first two minutes before Shastri's final 3-ball of the night put the 'Swords ahead 100-98 with 2:20 left. Down by three, the Cougars had two chances for a tie but Brown's triple with 31 seconds left was off the mark then Waldrip's layup on a baseline drive was blocked by
Oscar Pedroso 17 seconds later. Shastri and Pedroso sealed the game with two free throws each.
The game was near-even numbers-wise with Chaminade making 37 field goals and 11 3-pointers to Cal State San Marcos' 36 field goals and 12 triples. Both teams hit 25 free throws but the 'Swords held the advantage in field goal percentage (53.6-47.4). The 'Swords also had 29 assists, the most since Nov. 2007 (30 vs. Golden State Baptist).
The 'Swords open Pacific West Conference action Thursday when they host Concordia at 7:30 p.m. at McCabe Gym. Live streaming audio will be on GoSwords.com.
