HONOLULU – The Chaminade University men's basketball team got a strong showing in the final 20 minutes to roll past Hawai'i Hilo, 95-70, in the Pacific West Conference opener for both teams Wednesday at McCabe Gym.
The Silverswords exploded for 57 second-half points while getting a pair of double-doubles and nearly had a third as they snapped their three-game slide. All three losses came to Power Five conference teams in last week's Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
Reigning PacWest Player of the Week
Rohndell Goodwin went for 21 points and 10 rebounds for Chaminade while
Kuany Kuany got his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 boards.
Austin Pope nearly joined them with a season-high 18 points and nine rebounds as the Silverswords improved to 3-3 on the year and 1-0 in the PacWest.
Ryley Callaghan led the Vulcans (1-4, 0-1 PacWest) with 14 points.
Sam Daly had 14 points for Chaminade which played for the first time this season at McCabe. Kuany and Goodwin each had three assists with Daly and
Tyler Cartaino plucking down four boards apiece.
Dantley Walker had nine points with Cartaino adding six.
The first half see-sawed back and forth with 10 ties and 10 lead changes. The biggest lead in the first half was UH Hilo which was up by five early in the game. Pope's spinning floater as time expired in the first half gave the 'Swords a 38-37 halftime lead.
But it was all Chaminade in the second half. Up 45-43 with four minutes gone in the second half, the 'Swords scored on six straight possessions to open up a 58-47 lead. A 14-4 Chaminade run minutes later all but sealed the game.
After shooting a solid 53.1 percent from the field in the first half, the Silverswords shot a blistering 64.7 in the second for a game percentage of 59.1 percent. Their defense also held the Vulcans to 39.7.
Goodwin, Kuany, Pope and Daly were a combined 29 of 46 from the field for 63 percent.
The Silverswords will face Notre Dame de Namur on Friday at McCabe Gym. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with live streaming audio coverage on GoSwords.com.
