HONOLULU – After a disappointing – and some say disheartening – loss to Azusa Pacific on Monday, the Chaminade University men's basketball team rebounded with a vengeance Thursday, rolling past Biola University, 82-58, at McCabe Gymnasium.
The Silverswords, who are ranked 18th in this week's NABC Coaches Poll, got a monster performance from forward
Tyler Cartaino (Newbury Park, Calif./Newbury Park) who hit for 24 points, one shy of his career high. He also yanked down eight rebounds and hit 10 of his 12 field goal attempts. Over his last seven games, the redshirt junior is shooting a staggering 70.1 percent (54-of-77) from the field.
Chaminade improved to 15-4 overall and 9-4 in the Pacific West Conference and trails Azusa Pacific by two games for third place in the standings.
Grant Dressler (Las Vegas/Sacramento State/Palo Verde HS) added 17 points, six rebounds and six assists while
Erik Scheive (Marysville, Calif./Yuba College/Marysville HS) contributed with 12 points.
Jake Hutchings (Las Vegas/Howard College/Centennial HS) made his first start of the season and chipped in with 12 points.
Biola, making its first McCabe Gym appearance since February 1991, was led by Levi Auble's 18 points. The Eagles fell to 10-9 and 6-7 in the PacWest.
Playing with intensity and energy from the opening tip, Hutchings, Cartaino and Dressler all got into the act as Chaminade sprinted out to a 9-0 lead in the game's first two minutes. Biola eventually battled its way back and twice took one-point leads midway through the first half.
Scheive's layup put the 'Swords back in front for good at 17-16. Later in the half, a
Nicholas Anderson (Anaheim, Calif./Fullerton College/Canyon HS) layup started a 9-2 run that helped give Chaminade its first double-digit lead of the night. Then with 15 seconds left, Anderson swiped the ball away from Trevor Treinen, leading to Dressler's fast-break layup to give the 'Swords a 41-30 edge at the break.
Holding on to a 46-36 lead four minutes into the second half, Anderson again victimized Treinen, jabbing the ball away from him leading to a Dressler layup. On Chaminade's next possession, Cartaino found
Eliet Donley (Yokosuka, Japan/Hayfield) – making his first appearance of the year after suffering an arm injury a month before the season began – for another layup. Cartaino, Dressler and
Roman Young (Wichita, Kan./Mineral Area College/Sunrise Christian Academy) each found the bottom of the net then Hutchings completed a three-point play to finish the game's pivotal 11-2 run over a five-minute span to give the 'Swords an insurmountable 60-38 lead. Chaminade would lead by as many as 26 late in the game.
Chaminade overwhelmed Biola from the floor, shooting over 51 percent while holding the Eagles to under 37 in both halves, with the 'Swords finishing with a 54.1 percentage to Biola's 34.4. Chaminade also out-rebounded the visitors, 40-32, with
Morningstar Takapu (Goodyear, Ariz./Millenium) ripping down a season-high seven.
Cartaino's 4-for-4 free throw night also highlighted the 'Swords perfect 9-for-9 performance from the charity stripe. They also out-assisted Biola, 17-9, and dominated in the paint, 52-28.
The Silverswords next face intercity rival Hawai'i Pacific University on Monday with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m.
