HONOLULU – The Chaminade University women's basketball team renewed their intercity rivalry with Hawai'i Pacific University but experienced a 73-42 loss Saturday at the Neal Blaisdell Center.
Destiny Castro (Talofofo, Guam/Notre Dame HS) had a team-best 14 points and seven rebounds for the Silverswords who fell to 1-13 overall and 1-11 in the Pacific West Conference.
Diamond Carter (Kapolei, Hawai'i/Olympic College) had nine points and four boards while
Breann Nueku (Honolulu/Clark College) had six points for the 'Swords.
The Sharks (16-2, 10-1 PacWest), ranked fourth in the latest D2SIDA West Region Media Poll, were led by Alysha Marcucci's 19 points to help sweep the season series between the two programs.
Castro and Carter accounted for all eight of the 'Swords' points in the first quarter with four each. Castro got a 3-pointer and traditional three-point play in the second and
Alicia Dugan (Renton, Wash./Peninsula College) knocked down a triple from the left wing as time expired to cut the deficit to 33-24 at the half.
But in the second half, Chaminade experienced third-quarter woes as it was outscored 19-5 to help the Sharks pull away in the final 20 minutes.
The 'Swords made just 14 field goals in the game for 26.4 percent from the floor and had just seven assists. But they also held HPU to just 38.1 percent shooting, the second-lowest percentage in its last 11 games.
And unlike the previous meeting on Dec. 9 where the 'Swords were outrebounded 63-35, the margin was just 46-34 in favor of the Sharks.
The Silverswords return to McCabe Gym for two straight contests starting Thursday when they face Dixie State at 5:30 p.m. Live streaming audio coverage will be available on GoSwords.com.
