HONOLULU – Contests between the Chaminade University and BYU-Hawai'i men's basketball teams have been intense over the years.
So it was no surprise that in the 102
nd and final meeting of the 41-year history of the rivalry, the outcome was a lot closer than the current won-loss records indicated.
All five Silversword starters scored in double-digits as they turned back the Seasiders, 81-74, Thursday at McCabe Gym.
Kiran Shastri dropped a game-high 20 points in the win while reigning Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week honoree
Austin Pope recorded his fourth consecutive double-double (16 points, 12 rebounds), becoming the first 'Sword in nearly six years to accomplish the feat.
Rohndell Goodwin added 14 points and seven boards while
Kuany Kuany had 12 and
Sam Daly 11 as Chaminade improved to 12-7 overall and 8-4 in the PacWest.
Caeleb Roney had a team-high 16 points for the Seasiders (4-12, 2-8 PacWest) who will end intercollegiate athletics following this season.
Pope's double-double streak is the most since Mamadou Diarra had five from January to February 2011. Meanwhile Shatri's total put him right at 1,400 in his career and needs six to pass Tim Dunham for eighth all-time.
The Seasiders grabbed the lead in the early stages of the game but a 15-3 run by Chaminade with Shastri and Pope combining for nine points put the home team ahead, 17-8. BYUH chipped away at the deficit, went ahead midway through the half and held it until Shastri's triple with 3:57 left put CUH ahead for good at 38-37. The 'Swords held a 44-41 lead at the break.
The 'Swords would grab as many as a nine-point advantage in the second half but as was the nature of the series, the losing team would hang around as BYUH did. Chaminade could not get its lead into double digits as the Seasiders countered each point and managed to trim the deficit to four points four times in the waning minutes. But Goodwin and Pope combined to hit three free throws inside of 30 seconds to secure the win.
Chaminade hit nearly 47 percent of its shots from the floor and held the Seasiders to 37.8. The 'Swords also out-rebounded the Siders, 43-39. Despite making only five 3-pointers, their fewest since Dec. 10, the 'Swords also made 16-of-19 from the free throw line for 84.2 percent, their highest with 15 or more attempts this season.
The Silverswords will wrap their short two-game home stand Monday against Holy Names. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. with live audio coverage on GoSwords.com.
