IRVINE, Calif. – The Southern California road trip historically has never been kind to the Chaminade University women's basketball team.
Since the Pacific West Conference began expanding into the region in 2011-12, the Silverswords have always come out with an 'L' in the won-loss column.
That changed Saturday as the 'Swords outscored Concordia Irvine, 18-9, in the final three minutes to pull out an 68-63 upset at CU Arena, snapping their 0-17 all-time mark in Southern California.
Destiny Castro (Talofofo, Guam/Notre Dame HS) overcame a slow first-quarter start to pour in a game-high 30 points in the win. She also broke yet another program record in the process, setting the single-season scoring record, surpassing Brittnee Fonnesbeck's 12-year-old mark early in the second quarter to give her 455 points this season.
Castro also added seven steals – one shy of the single-game program-record she set earlier this week at Azusa Pacific – increasing her already-established record total to 80. She has 20 thefts in her last three games.
Hunter Liftee (Kamuela, Hawai'i/Central Methodist Univ./Honoka'a HS) added 14 points for the 'Swords with another 12 from
Diamond Carter (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Olympic College/Kapolei HS).
Chaminade improved to 6-18 overall, one shy of the program record set in 2014-15. They are also 5-15 in the PacWest.
The 'Swords also spoiled Concordia's Senior Night as well as preventing the Eagles (10-16, 9-12 PacWest) from wrapping up the conference's final bid in next month's PacWest Tournament in San Rafael, Calif. Jasmine Rachal led CUI with 27 points before fouling out in the closing seconds.
After spotting the Eagles a 20-13 lead after the first 10 minutes and with Castro making just 1-of-7 shots to start (although the field goal in the second quarter broke Fonnesbeck's record), the Silverswords got production from Carter and Liftee who combined for 16 points of the team's first 22 points for help forge a tie game. Castro caught fire, scoring Chaminade's final 12 points of the quarter to them to a 31-30 halftime lead.
An 18-11 third quarter gave Concordia a 48-42 lead going into the fourth which expanded to seven less than two minutes into the final quarter. A corner 3-pointer by
Ellyonna Bankofier (Clackamas, Ore./Clackamas) off an inbounds pass by
Kali Benavente (Tamuning, Guam/Academy of Our Lady of Guam) cut the deficit to 54-53. A turnover on CUI's ensuing possession led to a pair of Castro free throws to put Chaminade ahead. After basket teetered Concordia ahead, the 'Swords beat CUI's press when Benavente's down-court pass went to
Arianna Blowe (Monument, Colo./Lewis-Palmer) under the basket for a three-point play to put CUH ahead, 58-56, with 2:17 remaining.
Then the 'Swords' full-court zone-press, which they implemented at the start of the road trip, started paying dividends. Bankofier stepped in front of a skip-pass and coasted in for a layup followed by a Castro theft and another layup. A Concordia turnover on its third consecutive possession resulted in another Castro bucket and suddenly, Chaminade's lead was 64-56 with 1:29 remaining.
Concordia began chipping its way back in although the 'Swords helped by missing two of their four free throw tries. Michaela Vanderdlugt hit two foul shots to pull CUI to within 66-63 with 43 seconds left. But a Castro free throw then Blowe hit another freebee after her offensive rebound to allow the 'Swords to come away with their first-ever victory in SoCal.
Concordia had a one-sided edge in shooting percentage (53.2-37.5) and rebounds (47-22). However the Silverswords' press forced 32 turnovers – one shy of the CUH opponent record – and turned them into 27 points. In comparison, Chaminade had just 14 giveaways which resulted in 11 Eagles points. It's the third consecutive game the 'Swords have forced 26 or more turnovers.
The Silverswords return home for their final home game of the season Thursday against Notre Dame de Namur. Carter, Liftee and
Sephora Yayouss (Brussels, Belgium/Peninsula College/K.A. Etterbeek HS) will be honored following the game.
