HONOLULU –
Destiny Castro (Talofofo, Guam/Notre Dame HS) made history Thursday by becoming the Chaminade University women's basketball team's all-time leader in steals.
Needing two to break Kristle Henry's mark of 168, the guard did just that in the first half to become the program's career-leader with 169, the first of possibly several career records for her with still a year-and-a-half remaining in her collegiate career.
The Silverswords as a whole, however, could not get over the hump against visiting Biola in their 67-57 loss at McCabe Gymnasium.
Castro added 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists with one block for yet another solid all-around performance. She now has 943 career points as she closes in on becoming just the third Lady 'Sword to reach the millennium mark in scoring.
Michaella Dean (Irvine, Calif./Orange Lutheran) came off the bench to tie her season-highs in both points (9) and assists (3) while
Arianna Blowe (Monument, Colo./Lewis-Palmer) also had nine along with five rebounds.
Hunter Liftee (Kamuela, Hawai'i/Central Methodist Univ./Honoka'a HS) had six in a reserve role as Chaminade recorded 22 points off the bench.
The 'Swords fell to 4-13 overall and 3-10 in the Pacific West Conference. The Eagles (9-10, 7-6 PacWest) were led by Brenna Khaw's 21 points.
Castro recorded a steal in the first period to tie Henry's mark then with 1:32 left in the first half, she stepped in front of Khaw's pass to achieve her milestone theft. The game's opening 20 minutes was close throughout with Chaminade's four-point lead the largest in the half.
Liftee's 3-pointer with 1:53 left in the third gave the Silverswords a 41-40 lead which proved to be their last of the game. Eventually Biola retook the lead and carried a 45-42 edge heading into the fourth quarter.
However the 'Swords could never get that one run. A bucket from Blowe and later a 3-pointer from
Ellyonna Bankofier (Happy Valley, Ore./Clackamas) twice brought them to within a point. But the Eagles' 9-0 run during a three-minute span helped them pull away late in the game.
Both teams shot identical shooting percentages (41.5) and assists (13). While Chaminade hit nine triples to Biola's seven, they were out-rebounded 37-29 and despite forcing 18 BU giveaways, committed 22 of their own. And while Castro received the accolades for her record-setting night,
Sephora Yayouss (Brussels, Belgium/Peninsula College/K.A. Etterbeek HS) had a team-high four of the team's 12 steals.
The Silverswords return to action Monday when they face Hawai'i Pacific University at the Blaisdell Center in a renewal of the intercity rivalry. HPU on Wednesday ended No. 25 Azusa Pacific's 14-game winning streak.
