HONOLULU – The last time the Chaminade University women's basketball team was in The Shark Tank – formerly known as Saint Francis School Gymnasium – the Silverswords had one of the most memorable finishes in program history.
For a moment, it appeared that history would repeat itself.
However there was no miracle this time as the Silverswords on Saturday dropped a 68-65 decision to the University of Minnesota Crookston at Hawai'i Pacific University's new home gym in the Malika Sports O'ahu Thanksgiving Classic.
Destiny Castro (Talofofo, Guam/Notre Dame HS), whose desperation 3-pointer from 33 feet out gave Chaminade a stunning 79-77 win over Minot State last Nov. 21, did not get a gift this time as her game-tying triple bounced off the rim, the same basket where last year's magic happened.
Ellyonna Bankofier (Happy Valley, Ore./Clackamas) tied her career high with 17 points with Castro adding 16 for the 'Swords (0-3).
Kali Benavente (Tamuning, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) popped in 12 points, her first double-digit scoring game since February 2018.
Kylie Post led the Golden Eagles (1-3) with 14 points.
Castro once again had a solid all-around game for the 'Swords, tallying six rebounds and five steals.
Cheyenne Ardona (Mililani O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) pulled down a team-best seven boards with Benavente dishing out six assists.
UMC held a 28-19 lead three minutes into the second quarter, its largest of the first half but Benavente scored four points during a 10-2 CUH run to help cut the deficit to 30-29. Minnesota Crookston led 31-29 at the break.
After Ardona's bucket to open the second half tied it, the Golden Eagles recaptured the lead and expanded it to 12 early in the fourth quarter, their largest of the game.
But the 'Swords responded with Bankofier's 3-pointer and layup with another bucket from
Arianna Blowe (Monument, Colo./Lewis-Palmer) and
Michaella Dean's (Irvine, Calif./Orange Lutheran) layup, all coming in a span of less 90 seconds. The 9-0 run made it a 53-50 contest, forcing UCM to call a timeout.
From there, each time Minnesota Crookston had a score, Chaminade answered. Castro's jumper with 41 seconds left brought the 'Swords to within 64-63. UMC made all four free throws down the stretch, expanding its lead to 68-63 but with precious seconds remaining, Chaminade got a huge break when the Golden Eagles were assessed a technical foul as a UMC substitute ran on the court without being summoned by the officials.
Bankofier hit both technical shots to make it 68-65 as well as possession. But Castro's potential game-tying triple from 25 feet from the right angle hit the back of the iron at the buzzer.
Chaminade shot 38.7 percent from the floor, made 15 of 23 free throws and pulled down 32 rebounds. UMC shot 42.3 with 18 of 35 foul shots and 45 boards.
The 'Swords were able to force 21 turnovers and recycled them into 19 points. Both teams had 30 paint points and 26 off the bench.
The Silverswords return to the Shark Tank and continue the O'ahu Thanksgiving Class on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28 when they face Sioux Falls.
